It is no secret that we love our fur babies, as approximately 70% of homes have pets, but would it surprise you on the importance and impact of their role in a real estate transaction?”
We spend an average of $1,163 per year on our pets and their accommodations. Common amenities home buyers search for when thinking of their fur babies include a fenced yard, easy to clean hardwood floors, room for kitty trees, puppy crates, bird cages and tanks for fish or iguanas. A new trend in the past few years is having an animal washing station in the home.
But how about when you decide to sell your home? Do you know how to properly stage your home while still making your animal comfortable? Below are some tips when selling a home that has an animal.
- Remove Pet during Showing and Open Houses. Your Realtor® can help you with suggestions. Remember a pet has a set routine too and leaving the home can be stressful.
- Repair any damage caused by Pets prior to photographs and marketing and Remove Pet Odors and Stains and Deodorize
- Remove the evidence: remove toys, cages, bowls, beds. Some things can’t be removed like bird cages, etc. unless you have a friend who will take short term so as not to stress your animal.
- What to do with a neighbor who has noisy dogs? Talk to your Realtor. Hopefully you are on good terms with your neighbors and can advise them when you are holding open houses or put on some soft background music.
- Finally, remember most people are pet lovers so do not forget to highlight to your realtor the features of your home (large yard, located near a park) etc. that will be attractive to these buyers.
