Putting your home up for sale nowadays comes with plenty of responsibilities such as staging your home, scheduling repairs, as well as meeting with possible buyers, but if you have a pet at home—there’s a lot more for you to do.
The first question that usually pops into any pet owner’s mind would be how to sell your property despite having pets, but let’s just face the fact that not every prospective buyer is going to be comfortable with buying a home that currently has pets, or has previously had pets. Although this does not apply to all prospects, the safest move would be to get rid of any trace that your property currently houses/has housed a pet at all. If you are not having a difficult time selling your home yet because of your pet, here are four expert tips on how to avoid doing so:
Pro Tip #1: Plan
The first thing that you need to remember is that selling your home isn’t only going to be hard for you, it’s also going to be just as difficult for your pet. It would be best to include your pet when planning and going through the step by step process of selling your home. Start with talking to a veterinarian about how the change is going to affect your pet, because change can be quite stressful to animals, most especially if they are older.
During the staging process, it would also be best to temporarily leave your pet with someone you trust. This will allow you to get rid of all the telltale signs that a pet lives with you, which can reduce your property’s value because their odor, pet stains and fur can be a turn off for potential buyers.
Pro Tip #2: Repair
When selling your home, it is never truly attractive when potential buyers can spot damage caused by your pet. During the time that your pet is away, make sure to inspect every inch of your property, including carpets, furniture, hardwood flooring, walls, doors, yard, or fence, because this would be the best time to get things fixed.
Make sure that all repairs have been done prior to showing your home. Although this may require some additional spending on your part, it will be well worth paying for when you get a generous offer on your home.
Pro Tip #3: Prepare
Now that you’ve hidden all signs of your pet and fixed all the things that need repairs, this would be the best time to start staging your home to achieve top dollar. Be sure to prepare yourself to declutter and say goodbye to some items that you will need to put into storage such as your cages, litter boxes, toys, and the like. As much as we all dread tidying up, we need to be at our A-game when it comes to preparing the home for a showing. Help potential buyers envision decorating the home that they could build in your property by showcasing its best features—with or without a pet.
Need expert advice on the selling and buying process? Check out our other blogs for more pro tips or connect!
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