According to the American Pet Products Association in their 2019-2020 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 67% of households in the United States own a pet. That's an outrageous number of 84.9 million homes. We fully believe that chances are your pets are just like family. They take up a large portion of the couch during the day and maybe even share your bed at night. So whether you have a cat, dog, turtle, lizard, hamster, or anything else, you are a proud of your pet. When it's time to sell your home from a pet owners perspective, we don’t see our pets as an issue. Unfortunately, not all home buyers find your pets as appealing in their potentially future home. In some circumstances, the presence of animals actually decrease a home’s value in the potential buyers’ eyes.
A few reasons are possible as to why potential buyers do not like pets. Whether it be large or small, running free or in a cage, some animals just make people feel uncomfortable. They may have had a bad past experience with that type of animal, have little experience with that particular animal, or even have a phobia. If it is a more exotic type animal, they may be unsure about it. The main reason why pet may be a deterrence is allergies. Pet allergies and more specifically pet dander is one of the most common reasons. If the allergy is more severe, the buyer may not even take the opportunity to view your home. For all the pet owners ready to sell their property, there are ways to help get around this pet-friendly matter.
A Temporary New Home
Asking a friend, relative, or maybe even a neighbor to take in your furry (or scaly) family member for a short period of time until your home is sold could be a solution. We fully understand that you and your pet prefer not to be separated, but you want to guarantee getting the best offer comes about. This is why our Realtors suggest relocating pets while a home is on the market. Place them somewhere close by and with someone you trust. This way you know they are safe, but also in range for visits. Other alternative to someone you know include local pet sitters and kennel boarding.
If you know your pet does not handle changes well, we recommend a visit with your veterinarian before the relocation. Make sure they are up to date on vaccinations if they are going to be with other animals, and make sure all prescriptions are filled for travel. Like humans, stress can negatively impact your animals health and we want them to transition as best as possible to help get your home sold.
Relocate Just for Showings
If you don’t feel as comfortable with putting your in a temporary new home, minimizing the movement could be to get the pets out of the house only during showings. As your real estate agents duty is to handle and schedule all showings, he or she would be able to notify you when to remove the pet from the home. This can be done as simple as taking the dog for a walk in that time period. Take your pet to see a friend or family member, or just a long ride in the car. By removing your pet only for showings, you can become creative as how you choose to do so.
If neither of these relocation suggestions are possible, containing your pet in a single room or crate will help. The garage is a possibility as well, pending your circumstances. If you have a fenced yard, let them loose for a bit. If your pets aren’t the kind you can let run in the yard, like reptiles or fish, just putting a blanket or covering over the cage will put the animal out of sight, and out of the buyer’s mind!
Remove Any Signs of Pets
There are several signs throughout a home to signify that animals live there. This includes toys laying around, crates, cages, pet food, beds, cat trees, and more. Although it is require by law in some states to state animals live or have lived in the house, their presence does not need to be clear to buyers. Declutter anything extra laying around signifying “pets”. While you’re there, a deep clean is highly suggested. Try to eliminate pet odors, stains in the carpet or residue on floors. Vacuuming, dusting, and sweeping are also highly recommended on a more-than-usual basis. Pet dander and pet odors can quite certainly be a turn off even if the buyer is a pet lover.
Overall, separating any visibility or contact between your pets and potential buyers is the main goal. Notify your real estate agent on which steps you will be taking, and if you are unsure they are always there to help!
