Sellers and Proper Pet Behavior

Yes, home sellers love their pets, but many buyers can be afraid of dogs big and small, allergic to cats and turned off by lingering pet odors. Here are some tips to help you keep focused on your goal - selling your home.

What You Should Do:

• Have carpets and area rugs cleaned before showing your home to potential buyers. Those allergic to animal dander and hair, even if they can't see your pet, will know when their eyes and nose start to alert them to an allergic reaction. Many will not purchase a home that poses strong allergy problems.
• Clean litter boxes daily and replace litter before its time to show the house. Urine smells permeating from litter boxes are a turn-off to homebuyers.
• Vacuum pet hair off carpets, rugs and furniture before every showing. No one likes to leave a home tour covered with pet hair.
• Brush your pets daily to keep ahead of shedding hair.
• Verify those old pet urine mishaps in carpets and under rugs on hardwood floors are gone for good. Hot humid weather can bring these old scents back to life.
• Remove or crate pets for showings. Take for granted that you have never seen your pet be aggressive around new people, scents, and noises. They could show a side you've never seen. A barking dog or overly friendly cats can kill a showing. Be pro-active and take your pets off site for showings. Ask family or a neighbor to keep pets for you during showings.
• Clean-up dog droppings in the yard before every showing.
• Groom your animals more regularly when your home is for sale. Dog breath and wet dog hair aren't becoming to buyers, even if they love dogs.
• Don't leave chewed windowsills and door frames in that condition. It's hard for buyers to get past this type of property damage. Especially if you have young children in the house.