How to Make Selling Your Home Easier On Pets
67% of U.S. households have pets. So what do you do with them when selling your home?
Most households today have pets, us included. Our beloved poodle Abe is truly a member of the family, so I totally understand when clients who are in the early process of selling their home worry about what to do with their furry friends while the home is open for showings. It’s a question I hear a lot—”What should I do with my pets when I list my house?”
Every case is a little different, so you have to figure out what will work best for you and your animals. But here are my suggestions based on what I’ve seen work best for sellers.
Relocate Your Pets
I know this sounds impossible, but if you can relocate your pets for at least a week, it will really make life for your pets less stressful, and it will make it a whole lot easier to prepare your home for showings. Most homes I list go under contract within the first week, which means the number of showings can create a lot of chaos for a short amount of time. If you can board your pets or rehouse them with a friend or family member, you’ll have one less thing to worry about before a showing.
Pick up After Your Pet Constantly
If you can’t rehouse your pet, be sure to clean up after them daily while your house in on the market. The goal is to remove all evidence of a pet, so potential buyers aren’t distracted by pet hair, allergies, pet toys or other evidence of your beloved Fido.
Update Your Realtor
Make sure your realtor knows what’s happening with your pets. If you have a dog you’re crating during a showing, let them know. If you have a cat that can’t be let outside, do not forget to tell them that! Likewise, if you don’t have a pet, let your realtor know that as well. I know of one family who had a living room rug destroyed by a stray cat. The realtor thought the cat belonged to the family, let it inside the house, closed the door behind them and the rest was a mess of cat fur, feline rage and anxiety.
Buy Extra Pet Treats
If you think showing your home is disruptive to your schedule, just imagine how stressed out your pets are during this period. They have no clue what’s going on. All they know is their wold is changing constantly, and there are suddenly a lot more strangers wandering around their home. Help keep your pets calm by bribing them with a few extra treats.
