Staging your home to put it on the market is no doubt a big job. There is always serious housecleaning and repair work to be done. And if you have pets, there is a little more diligence required. But these extra tasks can often be addressed while carrying out other staging-related to dos. So, what’s a pet-owning home seller to do?

TIPS FOR STAGING YOUR HOME WITH PETS

REPAIR ANY DAMAGE

Animals will inevitably tear up something, including carpets, furniture, flooring, baseboards, and fencing. Any damage should be repaired before buyers start touring your home. If they see blemishes, it could lead them to believe that your home hasn’t been well-cared for.

CLEAN

A sparkling clean home is a must when it is on the market.  But having pets means you will need to apply some extra elbow grease on areas affected by them. Pay special attention to clutter, odors, hair, and your yard.

• Declutter When you are decluttering your home to get it market-ready, don’t forget the pet items. Remove the items that your pet can do without while your home is on the market, like extra leashes and least favorite toys. For items that need to stay, use an attractive bin or basket for pet items so they can be easily stowed or taken away before showings.

• Odors Pet odors can build up over time without you even noticing. Everyone becomes used to the smell of their own home and unaware of what it smells like to outsiders. So deep clean the areas that hold on to smells like pet bedding, floor coverings and fabric. Wash all pet bedding in the hottest water that is safe for the fabric. Have carpets, rugs, upholstery and drapery professionally cleaned. Clean and deodorize pets’ living and eating areas and keep these areas clean and tidy while your home is listed for sale. These steps will usually eliminate any odors but invite a friend over to do a sniff test.    Consider replacing any items that don’t pass.

• Hair To best eliminate pet hair around your home, pay special attention to the areas where it can hide, like under furniture, behind curtains and in hidden corners. Vacuum at least once a day and again before showings. Brush or comb your pet outdoors daily to help reduce shedding.

• Yard Don’t forget this area of your home. Pick up any messes, fill holes, have sod replaced and damage repaired as needed. Perform a poop patrol before each showing. Double bag the waste before disposing so your garbage can doesn’t smell when buyers walk by.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR PETS DURING SHOWINGS

The next thing to think about is what you’ll do with your pets during showings. You have a few options, but some are more ideal than others. The worst thing you can do is have your pet roam free during showings. And do not stash your pet in a closet or small space.  Buyers expect to be able to see all areas of the home. Stashing them may also result in your pet getting out, or a frightened or injured visitor.

• Relocate The option that is most beneficial to selling your home is to relocate your pets while your home is on the market. Ask a family member or friend to keep them for a while. Not only will this help during showings, you’ll be able to keep your home much cleaner without your pet there. Day care facilities and short-term boarding solutions are an option if friends or family are not able to take your pet. While it may be costly, it is much less costly to board them than it is to lose a sale.

• Head out of the house If it is not feasible to have your pet living away from home entirely, try to ensure your pet isn’t home during showings. Find a dog-friendly café or park to hang out in. For cats and other critters, camping out in an air-conditioned car may not be fun, but it will keep buyers from being surprised by your pets.

• If you can’t remove the pet before the showing If your agent springs an unexpected showing on you or you can’t get to your pet before a showing, there are a couple of things you can do. One is to have a plan for a neighbor or dog walker to pick up your pet during the showing. Another is to leave your pet in a cage or kennel, with a note in a visible location, alerting visitors, and instructing them to leave the pet alone. Finally, you could leave a cage or kennel for your agent, along with some treats so they have an easier time getting your pet to cooperate.

POINT OUT YOUR HOME’S PET POSITIVES!

So far, this article makes selling a home with pets sound like a liability. In fact, there is a potential upside. Highlighting pet-friendly home features and nearby amenities can appeal to pet owning buyers. Here are some things you can do:

• Include pet-friendly features, like a big backyard, built-in dog door or custom kitty litter cabinets, in your property description. Utility sinks, wash stations and warm water hose connections installed outside are big pluses.

• Point out your home’s proximity to animal friendly places. Dog parks, groomers, doggie daycares, and veterinarians are necessities for pet owners.

FINAL THOUGHTS

While putting your house on the market with pets can be a little more challenging, it’s very doable! Just make sure you pay special attention to areas where pets have had an impact and ensure you’re keeping your loved ones safe during showings. If you do your staging right, a buyer who tours your home shouldn’t even be able to tell a pet lives there.