The major goal when selling a home is to make it appealing to a wide pool of potential buyers. Some sellers even go so far as professional staging to ensure their homes are show-ready at all times.
However, sometimes you land clients who have pets, calling for special consideration and extra effort to ensure their home sells just as quickly as it would without the pets. In such cases, you have to talk to your client and ensure they follow these tips:
1. Check with their insurance.
Ask your client to contact their home insurance agent to check if their home insurance policies include pet liability. Most clients think that since their pets are friendly with them, they’ll be that way with everyone, forgetting that they can be quite territorial. So it’s a good idea to insure themselves against their pets biting prospective buyers.
2. Relocate the pet.
It’s easier to show and sell a home if pets are not around when buyers arrive so get your client to temporarily relocate their pet during showings. They can leave the animal with a family member or friend, board them at a kennel or even move out with them. This minimizes chances that the pet will interfere with a buyer’s viewing experience.
3. Give the animals their own spot.
Sometimes it might not be possible to remove the pet from the property. In this case, it’s advisable to have your client set up a comfortable, roomy enclosed or contained space for them somewhere on the property. Just ensure that they are kept away from buyers to avoid any mishaps or accidents.
4. Fix pet wear and tear.
Pets, being animals, can cause considerable damage to the flooring, furniture, carpeting and other parts of a home. These signs of damage can significantly reduce a home’s value. To avoid this, ask your client to fix any signs of pet damage that could prevent the home from fetching a good price.
5. Never show a stained or stinky house.
Other than damage the home, pets can have accidents that leave noticeable stains and odors. These are a definite turn off for any prospective buyers. To get rid of odors, stains, droppings and pet hair your client should have the home professionally cleaned. If the stains are too extensive, the next best thing is to have the carpets replaced.
6. Spruce up the yard.
Some clients prefer giving their pets free run of the yard. This can leave it looking a little worse for wear which can, in turn, be a deal breaker for buyers who love a healthy lawn and backyard. Cleaning them up by getting rid of droppings and replacing sod can greatly improve the home’s curb appeal.
7. Remove all pet clutter.
You want buyers to envision themselves living in that home, therefore, all signs of the pet should be put away, preferably at a different location other than that home. This includes pet food, feeding and water bowls, litter boxes, toys, cages, bedding and other tell-tale signs. It’s also smart practice to remove any photos of the pet both from the home and from marketing materials you create for the property.
8. Be prepared.
Limiting the home’s listing times because of a pet’s presence can make it much harder to sell it. The best thing you can do is ensure your client is well prepared for any eventuality and the house looks fantastic so that buyers have little to complain about.
Preparing to sell a home with pets might require a little extra effort but it’s all worth it if it helps close the deal.
