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FSBO and Fluffy: Selling a Home When Pets Are Involved

Becky

5 December 2007

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If you are a pet owner who is trying to sell your home, there are a few important things you must be sure to do:

Clean all carpets and floors.
Make sure to remove any stains your pets may have left.
Repair or replace anything that may have been damaged by your pet.
Get rid of the odor. Even if you can’t smell it, it’s there.
Vacuum every single day, more than you think is necessary.
Check the front and back yards for pet droppings.

Remember, not everyone is a dog or cat lover, and lots of people have pet allergies. You want interested buyers to visualize themselves in your home; you don’t want them to be choking on Fluffy’s dander.

But what do you do with your pets when you are showing your home? You have a few different options:

You can have a friend or relative take care of them. You can also board them at a kennel while your house is on the market, or at least part of the time. That way you won’t have to worry about getting your pets out of the house every time an interested buyer stops by to see it.

If you’re like a lot of pet owners, you may have a hard time parting with your pets. Plus, depending on how long you keep them at the kennel, it can get expensive. So if you really can’t bear to leave your pet in someone else’s care, there are some other options.

You can keep your pets in the backyard while you are presenting your home, although this may still detract attention from the positive features of your home, especially if you want buyers to notice your beautiful backyard. If you have a dog, have someone take it for a long walk while the showing is taking place. This will keep your dog out of the way while you’re trying to make the deal.

But maybe the weather is not cooperating, or you just don’t know anyone who can walk the dog. If your pets absolutely have to be in the house during a showing, at the very least, make sure they are crated at all times. You never know how your pets will react to strangers, and the last thing you want is for cute little Fluffy to attack a potential buyer.