Pets are great companions who help make a house feel like a home. However, when selling your property, they can make a house smell like someone else's home.
When buyers walk into an open house, they will want to envision the potential life they could have there. Perhaps they have dogs and cats but they may also be allergic to pets. You will never know who your audience is on any given day, so the best approach is to default to presenting a home with no pets.
Some pet-friendly features, such as a fenced-in backyard, can serve multiple purposes. So, it's essential to showcase all the potential uses of a home, such as how a backyard can host gatherings.
You can still have your pets around and stage the house with some extra steps.
De-fur the house
The majority of pets shed. Unless you have a hypoallergenic dog or cat, you likely have pet hair all over your home. It will collect everywhere your pet goes — and because it can cling to clothes, everywhere you go.
As you deep clean the house, take extra care to remove any fur.
Pro tip: Lift the couch cushions and carpets to inspect the area. Check around the legs of furniture and furniture pads that protect your floors; they can be magnets for fur. Consider investing in a specialized brush, scraper or rake designed to collect fur from fabric and other surfaces.
Pro tip: Try limiting your dog or cat to specific areas while the home is on the market.
Checklist
- Vacuum the whole home
- Remove hair from furniture and pet-touched areas
- Brush your pet often to cut down on shedding
- Use a pet hair remover tool
Fix the scent
No matter how clean your pet is, it will have some smell. Pet owners can sometimes be a bit nose blind. You may not be able to smell your furry friends, but a buyer might.
Common mistake: Don't rely solely on air fresheners to mask the smell. You have to tackle the root problem by cleaning. You can add an air freshener, but only to complement a clean room, not mask the smell of a dirty space. Be aware that some buyers may perceive you as trying to hide something and others may be sensitive to scents. Always unplug an air freshener at least an hour before a showing.
With cats, the litter box can be a big source of odor. Even the smell of litter can be triggering for some buyers. If you can't relocate your cat, consider moving its litter box to a remote part of the house, such as a garage. Clean the litter box before each showing. Better yet, put it in your car during the open house, if you can.
Pro tip: If you are worried about the smell, consider having a friend or real estate agent come over to conduct a smell test.
Checklist
- Wash everything you can, especially fabrics
- Clean carpets
- Clean out the pet's bed, crate or tank
- Replace air filters
- Bathe your pet
- Clean the litter box
Remove signs of pets
Crates, dog beds and toys need to be removed or hidden. When possible, move the pet supplies to the garage or a mudroom; alternatively, you can store them in your car during the showing.
Pro tip: Keep a dog and cat crate in the back of the car for quick transportation of animals during showings.
Buy a bucket for their toys, a leash and food to keep the mess contained.
If you have a small pet that is kept in an enclosure or cage, consider temporarily relocating it to a friend's home for a few weeks. Having a snake behind glass could be very off-putting to some buyers.
Checklist
- Remove pet beds
- Remove crate, tanks or cages
- Remove pet toys
- Move food and water bowls to a discreet location
- Remove pet waste immediately
Repair damage
Having pets can cause wear and tear on your house. Some damage will be easy to fix, while other repairs may be more challenging and costly.
Dogs, especially large dogs, can leave marks on floors. Both carpet and hardwood can show signs of dogs running on them. Evaluate the condition of your floors and determine whether replacing or refinishing them is worthwhile.
Pro tip: Make sure to check the backyard for signs of the dog. Dogs dig holes. Dogs relieve themselves outside.
Checklist
- Clean stains
- Clean scuff marks
- Replace or remove scratched or torn furniture
- Repair or remove things with chew marks
Plan pet care
Have a plan for where your pet can go when a home is being shown. If you are able to temporarily move a low-maintenance pet, such as a reptile, fish, or hamster, to a friend or family member's house, then do so.
Larger animals tend to be more work. If you can't watch them while the house is being shown, then arrange for their care off-site. There are several pet care services.
Pro tip: If you only need the dog to be walked for 30 minutes or an hour, look for a dog-walking service in your neighborhood or online.