Staging a Home for Sale With Pets Requires These Steps

Selling a home when you have pets takes some work, but it can be done if you know where to start. The key is to look at your property with the eye of a visitor rather than a homeowner; if you walked into your house for the first time, would you see stained carpet or smell kitty litter? Would you notice dog hair on the couch or muddy paw prints on the laminate? It’s those details that make a huge difference to a potential buyer because even if they love animals they’re more likely to pass on a house that has obvious evidence of a pet. If you need some help getting started, these tips presented by the Thompson River Animal Care Shelter can help.

Secure a safe spot for your pet

While it may be tempting to simply leave your dog outside during open houses and tours, keep in mind that potential buyers will want to see every corner of the property, and even if your pet is friendly, there may be some buyers who have allergies or aversions to dogs. It’s best, then, to secure a safe spot for your animal away from the home while there are open houses or when there’s a possibility of a pop-in visit from a realtor and an interested party. There are several options; you might hire a pet sitter, leave him with a friend or relative, or take him to a kennel.

Make sure he has everything he needs to stay comfortable; for hot days or anxiety, a cooling mat can work wonders. Read reviews of different mats to find out what type of cooling method is used, how durable they are, what the price range is, and how easy they are to clean. After the sale, you can reward your dog with some pet-friendly products in your new home. Check out product reviews from vets for suggestions. You can get a good idea of those items that will work best for your beloved pup.

Hide the evidence

Once your pet has a safe place to stay, it’s time to get rid of any pet-related items, stubborn stains, or other evidence before your realtor's walk-through. Box up toys, bedding, food bowls, medicine, and treats and take them out of the house, or store them neatly in an out-of-the-way spot in the garage. Remember that buyers will look through drawers and closets, so stowing loose items won’t work.

It’s also important to boost the air quality in your home in case you do have buyers with allergies; you might invest in a quality air purifier or a vacuum with a HEPA filter that easily removes hair and dander. When dusting and getting rid of pet hair, open the windows to encourage airflow. If you have any furniture with rips or stains, consult a local upholstery service about recovering a chair or sofa. They’ll be able to return the furniture to a state acceptable for an open house.

Get help from the pros

No matter how clean you keep your home, it’s nearly impossible to keep pet hair and odors from getting left behind, and cleaning up can be overwhelming when you already have other sale prep tasks on your plate. Consider getting help from a professional carpet cleaner, or hire someone to clean your upholstery and give your furniture an instant boost. If the walls have scratches or scuffs, clean them up safely and then hire a painting service to touch them up. Don’t forget about the baseboards, as they can add a nice clean pop to the room.

Clean up the yard

While you’re giving the interior of your home a nice cleaning, don’t forget about the exterior. Even if your pet doesn’t spend a lot of time outside, there may be waste to scoop up, holes to fill in or bare patches where the grass has been worn away. Touching up the lawn is a small way to make a big impact, and if you take it to the front of your home you can also add some beneficial curb appeal.

Selling a home when you have pets takes some planning, so give yourself plenty of time to finish the work before you list the property. Get some help from a professional realtor, as they can point out possible mistakes that could prove costly.

Located in Thompson Falls, Montana, Thompson River Animal Care Shelter is dedicated to the welfare of animals in Northwestern Montana. Our goal is to provide shelter for the lost, homeless, neglected, and abused animals until a suitable loving home can be found. For more information, please visit our website or contact us today!

Visit the author Nick Burton's website ourbestdoggo.com for more information on adopting and caring for your pet.