Selling Your Home with Pets

Selling Your Home with Pets
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When prepping your house to show to potential buyers, it’s a good idea to depersonalize the space as much as possible so that they can imagine themselves and their family in the home. This includes removing evidence of your beloved pets.

It’s important to remember that while many people love pets, they don’t necessarily love yours! When someone is viewing your home, evidence of animals like odors, pet hair, and scratches on the floor can be a major distraction and diminish the value of your home.

Here are some simple steps you can take to ensure that potential buyers notice the benefits of your home without having to also overcome the obstacles of pet odor and damage on the property.

Before a Showing

  • Remove food bowls, toys and pet furniture.
  • Consider doggy day care, boarding or crating your pet while someone is viewing your home.
  • Let your agent know when a pet is present.
  • If your pet is on the premises, make arrangements ahead of time if they require special attention.
  • Ensure your pet is groomed to reduce odors.
  • Make sure they are up to date on shots and tagged in case of accidental release.

Prepping Inside

  • Vacuum and professionally clean carpets to remove odor and/or stains if necessary.
  • Look for signs of pet wear and tear, such as scratches, chewing or paint damage.
  • Clean air ducts and replace filters to improve circulation and remove odors.
  • Consider removing furniture that shows evidence of animals.

Prepping Outside

  • Look at your landscaping to make sure there are no signs of pet wear and tear.
  • Check your patios, fences, and deck areas to ensure any scratched or chewed wood or furniture are repaired.
  • Look at entryways and screen doors for any necessary repairs.
  • Ensure all access points for pets are secured, such as doggy doors or fences.

For pet owners, taking these steps will give you peace of mind that your home is ready to show to prospective buyers. As always, we are with you every step of the way and your LEAGUE agent is happy to walk you through this process!

About LEAGUE Real Estate

LEAGUE Real Estate is a full-service brokerage in Fort Worth, Texas. We are a community of agents dedicated to meaningful service and creative media.