Showing Your House When You Have Pets

You might think everyone loves pets, but odds are the person buying your home doesn't. Many homeowners who think of their pet as a family member can't see that other people, namely buyers, have bad connotations with pets. Even if you have a 

hard time seeing how anyone could dislike your Fluffy, keep in mind that it could prevent you from getting the best price for your home. 

Why Pets Affect Buyers

Among the many reasons home buyers don't like your pet are: 
- They are nervous around animals. Not all people know how to live with and enjoy pets. 
- Being afraid. Whether the fear is irrational or not, many people are afraid not just of dogs, but also cats or other pets like snakes or lizards. 
- Lack of knowledge. Pets can be unpredictable, and not everyone has learned how to handle them. 
- They don't understand your pet. Many people think everyone else's pets are troublesome, but not their own!

The Best Pet Option 

While home sellers don't want to consider this option, it is really the best one for pet owners trying to sell a home. If you want to get the top price for your home, consider sending them elsewhere while the house is listed for sale. Trying to simply keep them locked up for showings doesn't always work, and can make the pet react badly. Better to completely take them out of the house. 

Two of the best ways to accomplish this is to either ask a friend or a relative to board your pet, or send your pet to a kennel. 

How to Overcome Pets In The Buyers Mind

If you just can't bring yourself to send your pet away, there are steps you should take to at least reduce the impact your pet will have on the home form the buyer's perspective. 

- Keep all cat litter boxes or dog pads hidden and as clean as possible. Seeing or worse, smelling at liter box is a huge and immediate turnoff.

- Carpet stains should be removed by a professional if necessary. If the spots can't be cleaned, the carpet or flooring should be replaced prior to listing the home

- Odors and smells need to be addressed, in particular cat urine. Home owners don't always notice it, so ask your real estate agent to tell you frankly if it smells. Don't try to mask with air fresheners, they don't work, and can cause some buyers to have allergic reactions. Try to find an enzyme cleaner to use, or hire a professional to clean it. 

Get Rid Of Pet Related Items

Some states may even require that you state whether a pet has lived in your house, but that doesn't mean you can't remove evidence. Make sure the buyer's first impression is pet-free. Be sure to do the following: remove photos and put them away, seal any dog or cat doors, wash and put away pet food bowls, put away all stuffed animals, scratching trees, catnip balls or any other toys, as well as pet carriers or cages. Finally, make sure you vacuum at least daily, and mop frequently as well. 

What To Do When Showing Your Home

When buyers are coming, you might put your pets in their carries, and be sure to put a prominent note for the buyers to not touch. You won't sell the house to someone who gets bitten or scratched by reaching into the pet cage! 

You can try to keep the pet at home and undisturbed by buyers, but the best solution is to never leave the pet home even when restricted, when strangers are coming through your home. 

#18 Showing Your House When You Have Pets

You might think everyone loves pets, but odds are the person buying your home doesn't. Many homeowners who think of their pet as a family member can't see that other people, namely buyers, have bad connotations with pets. Even if you have a hard time seeing how anyone could dislike your Fluffy, keep in mind that it could prevent you from getting the best price for your home. 

Why Pets Affect Buyers

Among the many reasons home buyers don't like your pet are: 
- They are nervous around animals. Not all people know how to live with and enjoy pets. 
- Being afraid. Whether the fear is irrational or not, many people are afraid not just of dogs, but also cats or other pets like snakes or lizards. 
- Lack of knowledge. Pets can be unpredictable, and not everyone has learned how to handle them. 
- They don't understand your pet. Many people think everyone else's pets are troublesome, but not their own!

The Best Pet Option 

While home sellers don't want to consider this option, it is really the best one for pet owners trying to sell a home. If you want to get the top price for your home, consider sending them elsewhere while the house is listed for sale. Trying to simply keep them locked up for showings doesn't always work, and can make the pet react badly. Better to completely take them out of the house. 

Two of the best ways to accomplish this is to either ask a friend or a relative to board your pet, or send your pet to a kennel. 

How to Overcome Pets In The Buyers Mind

If you just can't bring yourself to send your pet away, there are steps you should take to at least reduce the impact your pet will have on the home form the buyer's perspective. 

- Keep all cat litter boxes or dog pads hidden and as clean as possible. Seeing or worse, smelling at liter box is a huge and immediate turnoff.

- Carpet stains should be removed by a professional if necessary. If the spots can't be cleaned, the carpet or flooring should be replaced prior to listing the home

- Odors and smells need to be addressed, in particular cat urine. Home owners don't always notice it, so ask your real estate agent to tell you frankly if it smells. Don't try to mask with air fresheners, they don't work, and can cause some buyers to have allergic reactions. Try to find an enzyme cleaner to use, or hire a professional to clean it. 

Get Rid Of Pet Related Items

Some states may even require that you state whether a pet has lived in your house, but that doesn't mean you can't remove evidence. Make sure the buyer's first impression is pet-free. Be sure to do the following: remove photos and put them away, seal any dog or cat doors, wash and put away pet food bowls, put away all stuffed animals, scratching trees, catnip balls or any other toys, as well as pet carriers or cages. Finally, make sure you vacuum at least daily, and mop frequently as well. 

What To Do When Showing Your Home

When buyers are coming, you might put your pets in their carries, and be sure to put a prominent note for the buyers to not touch. You won't sell the house to someone who gets bitten or scratched by reaching into the pet cage! 

You can try to keep the pet at home and undisturbed by buyers, but the best solution is to never leave the pet home even when restricted, when strangers are coming through your home. 

Greg Cryns is the owner of Flat Fee Real Estate Guide - http://www.flatfeerealestateguide.com