SHOWINGS AND PETS
Most of us REALTORS are animal lovers and have pets of our own, but we also share many stories about showing homes where our clients went into a sneezing fit, we got bitten by a cantankerous furry creature, or opened the front door only to helplessly see a cute kitty scoot toward the nearest busy street.
It is essential to take pets and its effects into consideration if you want to put your house on the market.
Initially, make sure that you bring a friend who does NOT have any pets to do the "sniff test" and make sure your home does not have any pet odors. Steam clean carpets and vacuum all furniture. Wash all pet bedding and toys. Make sure to shampoo and comb your dogs often, to minimize ongoing smells.
Second, make sure you work out the showing arrangements/instructions carefully with your REALTOR, since it is important for showing agents to know what to expect inside your home, and to avoid potential liability.
Buyers could potentially be allergic or scared of cats or dogs (especially if they bring children along). Although most pets are harmless, they may hinder the buyers' experience and put a "negative aura" for your home in their minds. It is difficult to get a buyer excited about your home if he or she is sneezing continuously or unwilling to cross the threshold because your dog is barking away intruders.
If your REALTOR knows there might be a problem, they can arrange ahead of time for you to walk or cage the dog, vacuum the cat hairballs or do whatever is necessary to make sure that the showing goes smoothly.
Keep in mind that not everyone loves pets!
Please contact us if you have any questions or comments.