Getting ready for an open house can be challenging for anyone, but prepping to sell a house with pets can be an especially trying task. Having pets often means living with their odors and messes, and while you may not mind them, potential buyers could be put off by the smallest of stains or smells. With a few steps, you can make sure pets don’t pose a problem when you are trying to sell your home. Here’s where to start.
Tidy Up Your Outdoor Spaces
Pets have a way of leaving their mark on your life, and often, that means leaving marks and messes in your yard. Pet waste can cause discoloration and damage to grass and plants, so look around for unsightly brown spots and find ways to minimize or disguise the damage. Have a dog or cat that likes to dig? Make sure you fill in any holes in the garden, and think about adding some colorful flowers while you’re at it. Finding fast ways to add curb appeal can help your home make a fantastic first impression on any potential buyers.
Clean from Top to Bottom
Whether you have a dog, cat or other pet, you’ve likely collected your share of pet stains and trapped fur. You’ll need to commit to careful cleaning of all of your surfaces. Use a damp cloth to wipe down hair stuck to furniture and baseboards, look for random drool marks on cabinets and windows, and thoroughly clean all floors. Take extra care removing pet stains from carpet, as some methods can actually make them worse, or consider hiring professionals to clean your carpet for you.
Keep Your Pet, and Pet Areas, Clean as Well
You’ll want to find a place for your pet to crash during your open house, but chances are they will be around in the days and hours before, so it’s a good idea to keep your animals well-groomed and clean throughout the process with regular bathing. You’ll also want to keep their areas of the home clean. Sift through cat litter more than once a day, or consider changing it out more frequently, and wash and deodorize any pet beds or areas where your pals like to lounge.
It’s best to keep pet items out of sight during actual showings, or at least keep them to a minimum. If you’ve taken the time to stage your home to make it more appealing to buyers, you may have rented a small storage space offsite to hold items like bulky furniture and decor, and this is a great place to stash your pet’s clutter. Remember, the idea is to keep your pet under the radar from potential buyers as much as possible. Shoving all of their excess toys and supplies in a closet that home shoppers will peek into won’t accomplish that.
Do One Last Check for Details
Before you open your doors for the open house, you’ll want to take a lap around all of your rooms to make sure you’re not missing something. Look out for scratch marks and random chewed spots on wood trim and furniture, which can usually be taken care of fairly quickly. You could also have your Realtor® or a friend help you out, since you may have gotten used to little flaws. Getting a second opinion can also help identify odors in the air that you have grown accustomed to so that you can take steps to really get rid of them. Open some windows to let in some fresh air and don’t overlook the benefits of scent diffusers and candles. Just be sure to stick to fragrances that won’t offend potential buyers.
Preparing for an open house can be stressful for you and your pet, so it’s helpful to have a few tricks up your sleeve to help lessen the strain for both of you. Follow these steps in the days leading up to your open house so that you can relax and enjoy the time you have left in your home, and focus on taking care of yourself and your pet.
Article provided by Medina at DogEtiquette.info.