Our Home is on the Market! But wait…what do we do about Snowball?
Don’t worry! Follow my tips below, and not only will both you and your pet find having your home for sale less stressful, it may sell for more money!
Before the Showing
Clean out Cages and Tanks, and Backyard Daily
Make it a part of your daily routine to clean out and insert new shavings/ pellets into your critter’s cages. While it is not always feasible to wash out large aquariums on a regular basis, it is a good idea to clean the outside of the tank each day to get rid of fingerprints and other smears on the glass, as well as to use a cleaning net to reduce build up on the walls of the tank.
Clean out the Litter Boxes
If you own a cat, you know that a litter box needs to be cleaned on a regularly basis, sometimes multiple times a day depending on the number of felines you keep. It is essential that even if it is not normally required, a cat’s litter box should be emptied and topped up with fresh litter whenever any viewing appointments are scheduled. If you work during the day, I recommend getting into the habit of cleaning out the box in the morning before you leave, just in case any appointments are arranged for while you are out. As to the location of the litter box(es), please refer to the article “Getting Ready To Sell Your Home With Pets.”
Vacuum and Dust Daily
Keep floors and surfaces fur-free by vacuuming and dusting on a regular basis.
Remove Your Pet’s Things
Put away all pet toys, bedding, and food dishes. I recommend getting a storage container or cleaning out a space in a closet or cupboard so that you can quickly hide your pet’s items at a moment’s notice.
What To Do With Your Pet During Showings
Remove Pet During Showings
Arrange for dog walker, family member or friend to take your animal away if you cannot due to work or other commitments. If you have a dog or cat, a kennel or doggie/kitty day-care might also be viable options.
Temporarily Remove Pet While Home is On The Market
Finding a temporary home for your pet while your house is actively on the market is by far the best option. It reduces stress, not only for your pet as it does not have to be constantly removed from its home or subjected to strangers, but for you as well. You would not need to worry for your friend during viewings, or fret about keeping up with the maintenance of your home. If possible, make arrangements for your pet to stay with friends or relatives, or reserve boarding.
Keep in Contained Space
While I strongly oppose having your pet in the house during a showing, there are certain precautions that can be put in place if there are no other alternatives. One such option is to quarter off certain areas of the house so that the animal will not be disturbed or in anyone’s way. For example, dogs can be kept in a crate in a specific room, or in a kennel outside, a cat can be retained in a room with a closed door, etc. Make sure your listing real estate representative is aware of the pet’s presence in the home during viewings so they can give instructions to the buyer’s representative.
Talk to your realtor about what options are available for you and your pet.
*IMPORTANT NOTE* Since you shouldn’t be home for showings, neither should your pet. It is highly recommended that all animals are removed (particularly dogs) from the home during showings for several reasons:
Safety of the Animal
If your pet is free roaming, it could be let outside accidentally and get lost. We can also never be sure how other people treat animals, and so it is better to remove them from any potential dangers.
Safety of the Visitors
Everybody has a bad day, including animals. While your cat and dog might normally be incredibly friendly, they may be frightened by strangers, particularly children who tend not to realize when they are invading an animal’s space. Your pet can then be a liability if they injure someone viewing your home. Even if liability is not an issue, not everybody loves pets. Some people have extreme allergies, and others are deathly afraid of them, so it is better to remove them from the equation altogether.
Home Appeal
The idea is to make your home as welcoming and appealing to as wide a demographic as possible. This includes people not so keen on pets. Many people are intimidated by animals, and so would choose to pass your home by rather than deal with your furry companions, resulting in the loss of a potential sale.
