Selling and Showing Your Home with Pets:

Tips for a Smooth and Successful Experience

Introduction: Selling a home can be an exciting yet challenging endeavor, especially when you have furry companions as part of your family. Pets are beloved members of our households, but they can present unique considerations when it comes to selling and showing your home. In this blog post, we'll provide valuable tips and strategies to help you navigate the process smoothly and ensure a successful home sale while keeping your pets comfortable and stress-free.

1. Create a Pet-Friendly Action Plan:
   • Designate a pet-free zone: Create a specific area in your home where your pets can stay during showings. This could be a comfortable room or a dedicated outdoor space.
   • Plan for pet daycare or outings: Consider arranging for your pets to be temporarily cared for or take them on outings during important showings or open houses.
2. Prepare Your Home for Showings:
   • Eliminate pet odors: Deep clean your home to remove any lingering pet odors. Vacuum carpets, clean upholstery, and launder pet bedding regularly.
   • Hide pet-related items: Temporarily store pet toys, bowls, and litter boxes out of sight to create a clutter-free and visually appealing space for potential buyers.
3. Minimize Pet Disruptions:
   • Repair any pet-related damages: Fix scratches, chew marks, or stains caused by pets to ensure your home looks well-maintained.
   • Keep your home clean and tidy: Vacuum frequently to remove pet hair, and wipe down surfaces to minimize the presence of pet dander.
4. Showcase the Benefits of a Pet-Friendly Home:
   • Highlight pet-friendly features: If your home has pet-friendly amenities such as a fenced yard or built-in pet gates, emphasize these in your listing descriptions and during showings.
   • Showcase well-maintained outdoor areas: Ensure your yard is clean and well-groomed, creating a safe and inviting space for pets and potential buyers alike.
5. Communicate Pet Information:
   • Inform your real estate agent: Let your agent know about any specific considerations related to your pets. They can guide potential buyers and answer questions about the pet-related features of your home.
   • There may be instructions that need to be shared with Realtors before they show the home. I had a listing with a beautiful Scarlet MacCaw who was uneasy around men. Being a highly sensitive bird, he sat on his perch during showings and behaved well. I met people at the door and explained this before letting people enter the home. This made showings less stressful for Spiderman and the guests did not have any surprises.

Conclusion: Selling and showing your home when you have pets requires some extra planning and preparation, but it is entirely manageable with the right strategies in place. By following these tips and effectively managing your pets during the selling process, you can create a positive and welcoming environment for potential buyers, leading to a successful home sale. Remember, with a little extra effort and consideration, you can successfully showcase your home's best features while keeping your beloved pets happy and stress-free.