So, this week we are sharing some helpful strategies for homeowners who are preparing to sell, currently on the market, or will sell in the future. Buyers, this is a great read for you too so you can be sure you are advocating for yourself if you want to be sure animals have been removed from homes you're interested in buying.
- Remove pets for showings. At the very least, arrange for your pet to be out of the house when buyers are schedule to walk through. Go for a drive, go to the park, go to a friend's house -- just make sure the pet is not at home (bonus to put away toys, food and water bowls). If your schedule doesn't allow you to leave as necessary, there is always pet day care or a pet sitter that could help. Another reason this is a smart move is that it takes away the risk of your beloved pet getting out during the showing.
- Relocate pets temporarily. Sellers, it might be a good idea to have a trusted friend or family member keep the pet while your home is on the market. It would help keep the house cleaner and cut down on shedding. It's ideal to have all signs of the pet removed while selling your home, especially with the possibility that a potential buyer might have allergies or just a distaste for animals in the house. This includes toys, kennels, pictures, carriers, etc.
- Repair any damage caused by pets. Dogs and cats are probably the hardest on homes. For example, our dog jumps at the front door when the doorbell rings and has just worn our lovely trim away. That would be a necessary fix if we were selling our home. Some other good examples include windowsills that have been clawed or chewed on, major scratches on floors, and tears or bite marks on furniture. I know the furniture doesn't stay with the house, but it doesn't reflect the home at its best. Try an inexpensive slipcover if possible.
- Eliminate pet odors and stains. This is common sense. Some people are incredibly sensitive about pet odors and stains in a home. They can smell it as soon as they walk in and it bothers them the entire time. I've had many clients who have made comments about pet odors in homes, so this is a big one for me. I have seen it squash a potential sale, and I don't want that to happen to you! Resolve is a great cleaner for minor stains, and Simple Solution or Nature's Miracle can help too, but I would recommend a professional cleaning before you list your home with a focus on odor removal.
- Clean up messes in your yard. If you have a pet that does its business outside, clean up often in case buyers want to walk around the yard. The last thing you want them to do is step in something gross while they are assessing the yard.
- Arrange all of these things with your realtor. He or she can advise you and do a walk through to ensure everything looks and smells fresh. If you're a realtor or investor reading this, I can't stress these actions enough. Insist that your sellers complete these things when selling, and investors might consider not allowing tenants to have pets in a rental because of potential damage and liability if someone were to get bitten.
- If you have a more exotic pet like a bird, snake, spider, or rodent, it is absolutely critical that they are removed from the home. If that is not possible, whether it is one of these type of animals, or a traditional dog or cat, please please please make a note that the animal is present in the listing information or tell the agent showing the property so all parties are aware. That is just being polite and professional!
Let us stress again that we all love animals and many of us at ERA First Advantage consider them family members, but any pet can really be a detriment to a home sale. Remember that all of this is only temporary, and these are tips to help get the home sold faster so you and your pets can move on to your next adventure. What other thoughts do you have on selling a home with pets? Has anyone had a similar experience?
No comments:
Post a Comment