Tips For Selling a Home With Pets

by Richard Morrison
January 28, 2020
Selling
0

Moving is stressful for everyone, including our furry friends. As a homeowner preparing to sell your house, you want to make the transition as smooth as possible for your pets while also showcasing your home in its best light to potential buyers. With some strategic planning and elbow grease, you can sell your house quickly while keeping your pets happy and healthy along the way.

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Key Takeaways:

Temporarily relocate pets during showings to avoid scaring or aggravating potential buyers.
Thoroughly clean the home to eliminate odors, stains, and excess pet hair. Replace damaged carpets or floors if needed.
Repair any interior or exterior damage caused by pets like scratched doors or dug up lawns.
Remove all evidence of pets from the home like toys, beds, food bowls. Also take down family photos with pets.
Highlight pet-friendly home improvements like fenced yards, laminate floors, or washing stations.
Disclose loud neighbor dogs to buyers if directly asked, but don’t volunteer the information.

The Pet Owners Population is Growing

Pets are part of the family for45% of Canadian households and that number is only increasing. As more millennial first-time homebuyers enter the market, demand is rising for pet-friendly homes.

As a pet owner selling your home, you can take advantage of this trend by showcasing any pet-friendly improvements you’ve made. But you’ll also need to thoroughly clean and remove evidence of pets to avoid turning off buyers who don’t love animals as much as you do.

Home Improvements for Animal Lovers

As a pet owner, you may have already invested in features that make your home better suited for animals. Be sure to highlight these details when listing your house for sale. The top amenities sought by pet owners are:

Fenced-In Yards: This is the number one request for dog owners at 78%. Specify if your yard is fully or partially fenced. A sturdy, private fence allows dogs to play safely without risk of escape. For buyers relocating from an apartment, a fenced yard can seem like a dream come true.
Laminate Flooring: Ideal for resisting scratches, stains, and odors. Laminate is desired by a vast majority of pet owners. Hardwood floors quickly show signs of wear and tear from pets, but laminate provides durability. Buyers with large dogs or multiple animals will appreciate this practical flooring choice.
Washing Stations: A dedicated pet bathing area, often in a basement or mudroom, is useful for 35% of buyers. After a long walk or playing in the yard, it’s convenient to have an indoor washing area to clean dirty paws or muddy fur. For buyers envisioning an active lifestyle with their pets, this feature adds real value.

Preparing Your Home For Sale

When listing your house, you’ll need to thoroughly clean and declutter to remove all evidence of pets. Follow these tips:

Repair Damage Before You Sell Your Home

Inspect your home and fix any interior or exterior damage caused by pets. This includes:

Replacing chewed woodwork or railings
Repairing scratched floors or doors
Patching holes in walls or landscaping
Removing stains from carpets

Buyers will notice any signs of damage and may offer less for your home as a result. By taking care of repairs ahead of time, you can justify full asking price and avoid negotiations over pet-related blemishes.

Deep Clean to Eliminate Odors Before Selling A House With Pets

Bad smells will ruin a showing faster than anything. Have carpets steam cleaned and use enzyme-based cleaners on floors and surfaces. Open windows regularly to air out the home. Consider hiring professional cleaners to tackle tough pet odors.

Clear Away All Pet Objects That Belong To Your Dog Or Cat

Completely remove and store the following out of sight:

Pet beds, crates, carriers
Food and water bowls
Toys
Litter boxes
Medications, shampoos
Leashes, collars
Family photos with pets

Take down anything that identifies your home as housing pets. Store kennels in the garage, hide the leashes in a closet, and remove that framed photo of your cat. The goal is for buyers to envision the home as their own.

Maintain the Yard & Make Sure There Is No Poop

Pick up all pet waste, fill holes, re-sod bald spots, and repair any damage to landscaping or fences. You want a pristine exterior to complement your clean interior.

Curb appeal matters, so be sure to undo any damage in the yard caused by your pets. Digging dogs or cats using gardens as litter boxes can detract from a home’s value. Take time to restore the outdoors by planting grass, trimming bushes, and fixing fences.

Handling Pets During Showings & Open House

For best results, pets should be removed from the home during all showings and open houses. There are several options:

Board pets at a kennel or pet hotel. This ensures pets are comfortable and supervised, while completely removing them from the home buying equation.
Relocate them to a friend or family member’s house. If you have a willing helper, pets may prefer relocating versus kenneling.
If those aren’t possible, take pets along when you leave the house. Run errands or go to the park while showings occur.
As a last resort, place pets in carriers or crates during showings. Leave a sign asking visitors not to disturb them.

Removing pets avoids scary or messy encounters with potential buyers. Some people simply dislike or fear animals and you don’t want to turn them off before they’ve seen your home.

Dealing With Loud Neighbor Dogs

Incessant barking or aggressive dogs next door can also thwart a home sale. If the noise is bad, buyers may avoid making an offer. Here’s how to handle noisy neighborhood pups:

Politely ask if your neighbor can bring their dog inside during showings. Offer to pay for a dog walker or sitter if needed.
Check local noise ordinances – you may be able to report excessively loud dogs to animal control.
As a last resort, consult an attorney about legal action. Just the threat of a lawsuit could convince neighbors to quiet their pet.
If buyers specifically ask about neighborhood noise, answer honestly. Don’t volunteer the information, but don’t make misrepresentations.

Pet-Friendly Home Staging

In addition to cleaning and repairs, creative home staging can further minimize the presence of pets in your home. Here are some tips:

Temporarily remove pet gates, mats, and crates. Store out of sight or offsite.
Rearrange furniture to disguise favorite dog sleeping spots. Break up pet traffic patterns.
Place fresh flowers around the home to add a welcoming scent. Avoid scented candles that may aggravate allergies.
Swap out fabric throws and pillows to eliminate pet hair and odors. Use machine-washable decor.
Create spa-like bathrooms with new shower curtains and fresh towels. Buyers associate pets with bathrooms.

How Can A Realtor Help?

Having pets at home while trying to sell your house can be a tricky situation. Many home buyers are looking for a pet-free house, and if you have cats and dogs at home, it can be difficult to make the sale. However, with some tips on how to sell a house with pets, it can be done. When selling your home, one of the major selling points is showcasing the beauty of the property. This includes including pets while showing the home; however, scratches from cats may not be seen as an attractive feature by potential buyers. Consulting with a real estate agent in this situation can help you create an effective listing for your home that will appeal to buyers and sellers alike. You may need to invest in some additional cleaning around your house to ensure there are no pet odors or signs of animal activity that could detract from the beauty of your home.

Specifically when it comes to cats, cleaning up after their litter box may require some investment — last thing you want is for potential buyers entering a room that smells like dog or cat urine! In worse cases, items such as carpets or furniture may need to be replaced due to damage caused by pets — something which should always be taken into consideration when listing your home for sale.

Final Thoughts On Selling Home With Pets

Selling a house is a whirlwind process even without pets involved. With some planning and effort, you can show your home in the best possible light for potential buyers, both animal lovers and otherwise. Most importantly, take steps to reduce anxiety and disruption for your beloved pets as you transition to the next chapter of homeownership.

Q: What are the best tips for selling a home with pets?

A: Preparing your home for sale is key when you have pets. Remove pet odors, address any pet damage, and pick up any poop in the yard before every showing and open house. Consider boarding your pets or taking them for a walk while your home is for sale to make it more welcoming than entering a home with cats or dogs. Additionally, share with your realtor that you have pets so they can inform potential buyers of this fact.

Q: How do I remove pet odors from my home when selling?

A: Pet odors can be very difficult to remove once they have set in. Before attempting to sell your home with pets, thoroughly clean all areas of the house where pets may have been including bedding, carpets, furniture, and walls. You could also try using baking soda in affected areas to help absorb odors and vacuum thoroughly after the baking soda has sat for some time. If none of these methods work, consider investing in an air purifier or ozone generator.

Q: How do I address pet damage when selling my home?

A: Depending on the extent of the damage caused by your pet(s), you may need to hire a professional contractor or handyman to fix any damaged walls, flooring, or furniture. If it’s minor damage like scratches on doors or floors from claws, you might be able to fix it yourself with wood putty and sandpaper. Additionally, if you know that potential buyers will be bringing their own dog or cat along during showings, be sure to secure any dangerous objects such as wires or cords that could harm them.

Q: What should I do if my dog bites a potential buyer?

A: If your dog bites someone while they are viewing your house during a showing or open house, contact an attorney right away who is familiar with laws relating to pet ownership and liability. Additionally, take steps immediately following the incident such as providing first aid to the injured person (if needed) and apologizing for what happened.

Q: What if potential buyers don’t like animals?

A: It’s never attractive when selling a property with pets since many potential purchasers may not want cats or dogs around their new property. To ensure that this isn’t an issue during showings and open houses try boarding Fido and Fluffy while your home is being shown. Doing so ensures that potential purchasers won’t feel uncomfortable seeing a cat run across their feet while entering your home.

Q: Are there any other tips for selling my home with pets?

A: Yes! Make sure you clean up after them in the yard before every showing as well as inside the house; no one wants to see poop in the yard when viewing homes! Additionally, talk positively about your pet during showings; discuss how friendly Fido is which could be seen as a plus for those who are considering buying.

Q: What if my cat leaves scratch marks on walls?

A: Scratched walls are common when cats live at home but can make it difficult when trying to sell. To avoid major repairs which could cost hundreds of dollars try using wood putty and sandpaper instead – just make sure you fill in all cracks otherwise this could raise questions among potential purchaser.

Conclusion

Selling a house with pets can be a challenge for home sellers. To maximize your chances of success, you need to share with your dog or cat and make sure the home is immaculate before showing it. When selling a pet-owning home, it is important to clean up any damage caused by cats or dogs, such as scratches on walls or furniture. You should also take your dog for a walk and ensure that the litter box is always covered multiple times a day – there’s nothing less welcoming than entering a home that smells like a dog!

Additionally, if you have a neighborhood dog, consider having them with you when potential buyers come through. Finally, keep in mind that real estate sales involving pet homes may require more effort and patience than others. By following these top tips, you can help increase your chances of selling your pet-owning home quickly and easily!

Ready to turn your real estate dreams into reality? Contact Richard Morrison, Vancouver’s top realtor with 20+ years of experience. As a Medallion Club member and RE/MAX Hall of Fame award winning agent, he’s the expert you need on your side. Whether buying, selling, or investing, Richard’s personalized approach and deep market insights ensure a successful transaction. Reach out to Richard today at (778) 900-2235 and make your real estate journey seamless and rewarding.

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