Selling a home with pets

Susan and I were in a home the other day and there was a pretty strong pet odor. Even though we have been in this business for years and we are both dog and cat owners, we still have to tread lightly when telling a client that their home smells bad. I know some of you have watched that show on HGTV where the host is really blunt. We do tell our clients the truth, but you cannot always be as sharp as he is. It makes for good TV but maybe not good reality.

So here are a couple tips on selling a home with pets and pet odor:
Even if you don’t think that there is an odor, it is likely someone else will. Get the carpets cleaned by a professional or replace them. Depending on the condition and wear on your carpets it is imperative that you get any odor out of them. Thoroughly wash any dog beds and blankets often while you are trying to sell the home. If you know about a showing ahead of time, which you should, then go ahead and wash them the day before.
Dogs should be taken out of the home while it is being shown. Most people like animals and therefore they are a distraction to showing the home. I have had many occasions where buyers have come out of a showing and realize they weren’t paying attention. Instead of looking at the home they were playing with the dog.
If you have cats and a litter box, make sure that it is cleaned before the showing and swept up around it. The home should be devoid of cat toys and scratch posts, etc. Put them away in a closet or in the garage. I know that this isn’t convenient, but you are trying to sell something for tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Tidying up or staging the home is crucial, especially when there are pets involved.
Lastly, fix anything that the dogs or cats have damaged. If there is a screen that was ripped or a molding that has scratch marks, go ahead and replace them. You do not want the potential buyers to think that there may be more severe, hidden pet related issues, such as urine stains.
Birds, fish, snakes, frogs, ferrets and the other more exotic animals need to be addressed too. Make sure that their cages are well kept and clean when your home is being shown. It may require some extra cleanings outside of your routine, but it will help your home showcase better.
Good luck. See you around town!