Sellers and Proper Pet Behavior
Yes, home sellers love their pets. But many buyers can be afraid of
dogs big and small, allergic to cats and turned off by lingering pet
odors. It's sometimes difficult explaining to a home seller the
importance of taming their pets when marketing a home. Here are some
tips to help sellers keep focused on their goal - - selling their home.
What You Should Do:
Have
carpets and area rugs cleaned before showing your home to potential
buyers. Those allergic to animal dander and hair, even if they can't
see your pet, will know when their eyes and nose start to alert them to
an allergic reaction. Many will not purchase a home that poses strong
allergy problems.
Clean litter boxes daily and replace litter before
it's time to show the house. Urine smells permeating from litter boxes
are a turn-off to home buyers.
Vaccum pet hair off carpets, rugs and furniture before every showing. No one likes to leave a home tour covered with pet hair.
Brush your pets daily to keep ahead of shedding hair.
Verify that old pet urine mishaps in carpets and under
rugs on hardwood floors are gone for good. Hot humid weather can bring
these old scents back to life.
Train pets not to jump up on strangers, furniture and
countertops. It is distracting for buyers to see cats running in food
preparation areas and dogs mauling quality clothing.
Clean up and buy new dog bowls before placing your
home on the market. Fresh pet bowls filled with fresh food and water
finish off a pristine home.
What You Shouldn't Do:
Leave pets unattended for property showings especially when you know they can be aggressive or territorial around strangers.
Take for granted that you have never seen your pet be
aggressive around new people, scents, and noises. They could show a
side you've never seen.
Overlook picking up dog droppings in the yard.
Underestimate how a barking dog or overly friendly cats
can kill a showing. Be pro-active and take your pets off site for
showings. Hire a dog walker to occupy pets if you can't be home.
Forget to groom your animals more regularly when your
home is for sale. Dog breath and wet dog hair aren't becoming to
buyers, even if they love dogs.
Leave chewed window sills and door frames in that
condition. It's hard for buyers to get past this type of property
damage. Especially if you have young children in the house.
Consult with your real estate agent if you have uncommon pets such
as reptiles, spiders, and talking birds. Believe it or not these can
cause more anguish to those not accustomed to being around them.
Written by Mark Nash
Wondering What Your Home Is Worth? -- Let me show you.
