Tips for Selling a Home When You Have Pets
Selling a home is stressful enough for homeowners, but selling a home with pets can be even more stressful. In addition to the usual concerns homeowners have, those with pets also have to consider if they should move their animals out while the home is for sale, how much it will cost to repair any pet-related damage and if pet odor will deter potential buyers.
Unfortunately for pet owners, the truth is that pets can turn away potential buyers and even lower the perceived value of their home if they are not addressed prior to listing. However, when properly prepared, homes with pets can be cleaned and staged in a way that makes the existence of the pets almost undetectable. So before listing your home for sale, consider making the following tips part of your to-do list right away.
Eliminate Pet Odor
Although you might have become accustomed to it and feel like your home doesn't have a pet odor, it's likely that the smell is pretty noticeable to those who don't have pets. Pet odors can deter potential buyers. Our sense of smell has a powerful effect on our emotions and on our perception. The scent of pet odor in a house is sure to stick in a potential buyer’s mind, and this will likely cause them to deduct the cost of carpet replacement from their offer. Even worse, if a buyer walks in the home and smells a dirty cat litter box or soiled carpet, they might not even proceed with the tour. To eliminate pet odor and keep potential buyers moving through the home, consider either replacing carpet, or at the very least have it professionally steam cleaned. Don’t forget to also clean upholstered furniture and area rugs. Any surface that holds in pet odor should be cleaned, replaced or removed.
Repair Pet-Related Damage to Home and Yard
As much as we love our pets, the truth is they cause extra wear and tear on the home, especially in the yard. Assess the home and consider recommending the owner repairs as much of the pet damage as possible before showing. Fill in holes created by canine gardeners. Not only are they unsightly, they can be potentially dangerous if someone were to trip in it. If doors and/or window screens have been damaged and scratched, replace them. Clean pet hair from hard-to-reach places such as behind appliances and behind doors. If wood or laminate flooring is scratched beyond repair, consider repairing the floor. This might be a large investment up front, but it can yield great results at sale.
Crate Your Pets During Showings
While your pets may be the sweetest little creatures on the face of earth, they can become uneasy around unfamiliar people and may become territorial as well. This could cause a stressful situation for the pet, yourself, and the potential buyer while they're trying to walk through your home. Crating your pet during showings is not only essential for the safety of potential buyers, but it also protects animals from getting out of the house, getting hurt, or causing harm to others.
Above all, when selling a home with pets remember that while they are part of your family, they can be a distraction to potential buyers and if certain measures are not taken to avoid uncomfortable situations, you could lose out on an offer. By taking these tips into consideration, you'll be less likely to run into issues with buyers not being interested in your home. If you're considering selling a home at the Lake of the Ozarks, make sure you're working with a team who strives to ensure your best interests are met. We would love to discuss what we can do to help your real estate transaction go as smoothly as possible. For all of your real estate related questions, contact Team Andy Gibson, the most trusted real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks!
Unfortunately for pet owners, the truth is that pets can turn away potential buyers and even lower the perceived value of their home if they are not addressed prior to listing. However, when properly prepared, homes with pets can be cleaned and staged in a way that makes the existence of the pets almost undetectable. So before listing your home for sale, consider making the following tips part of your to-do list right away.
Eliminate Pet Odor
Although you might have become accustomed to it and feel like your home doesn't have a pet odor, it's likely that the smell is pretty noticeable to those who don't have pets. Pet odors can deter potential buyers. Our sense of smell has a powerful effect on our emotions and on our perception. The scent of pet odor in a house is sure to stick in a potential buyer’s mind, and this will likely cause them to deduct the cost of carpet replacement from their offer. Even worse, if a buyer walks in the home and smells a dirty cat litter box or soiled carpet, they might not even proceed with the tour. To eliminate pet odor and keep potential buyers moving through the home, consider either replacing carpet, or at the very least have it professionally steam cleaned. Don’t forget to also clean upholstered furniture and area rugs. Any surface that holds in pet odor should be cleaned, replaced or removed.
Repair Pet-Related Damage to Home and Yard
As much as we love our pets, the truth is they cause extra wear and tear on the home, especially in the yard. Assess the home and consider recommending the owner repairs as much of the pet damage as possible before showing. Fill in holes created by canine gardeners. Not only are they unsightly, they can be potentially dangerous if someone were to trip in it. If doors and/or window screens have been damaged and scratched, replace them. Clean pet hair from hard-to-reach places such as behind appliances and behind doors. If wood or laminate flooring is scratched beyond repair, consider repairing the floor. This might be a large investment up front, but it can yield great results at sale.
Crate Your Pets During Showings
While your pets may be the sweetest little creatures on the face of earth, they can become uneasy around unfamiliar people and may become territorial as well. This could cause a stressful situation for the pet, yourself, and the potential buyer while they're trying to walk through your home. Crating your pet during showings is not only essential for the safety of potential buyers, but it also protects animals from getting out of the house, getting hurt, or causing harm to others.Above all, when selling a home with pets remember that while they are part of your family, they can be a distraction to potential buyers and if certain measures are not taken to avoid uncomfortable situations, you could lose out on an offer. By taking these tips into consideration, you'll be less likely to run into issues with buyers not being interested in your home. If you're considering selling a home at the Lake of the Ozarks, make sure you're working with a team who strives to ensure your best interests are met. We would love to discuss what we can do to help your real estate transaction go as smoothly as possible. For all of your real estate related questions, contact Team Andy Gibson, the most trusted real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks!
Keller Williams Lake of the Ozarks Realty
858 Hwy 42
Osage Beach, MO 65065
573-286-5907 Cell
573-348-9898 Office
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