How to sell the dog’s house (or cat’s, or bird’s or….)
Pets
Those incredibly wonderful creatures we bring into our hearts and our homes who bring great joy to our lives.
That is, if we are pet lovers. Cats, dogs, reptiles, birds or even exotic creatures are a matter of personal taste. For a home owner seeking to sell their home you should not count on others being quite as gaga for your furry or feathered family member as you may be.
As real estate agents, we’ve been exposed to all the situations you may have heard rumors about. Right down to opening a front door with eager buyers standing behind us for a home showing and being confronted by a very large, very unwelcoming Rottweiler!
Unfortunately, someone forgot to mention that in the broker’s comments, public remarks or the instructions for showing the home! Thankfully the door was safely pulled shut before any damage could be sustained by man or beast.
Whew – close encounter of the threatening kind, averted.
However, later, when the dog had been taken for a much appreciated walk by the owner and we were able to walk freely through the house, the client commented “We shouldn’t have wasted time coming back. I can’t imagine this smell will ever go away.”
That isn’t entirely true. We all know there are products and methods to freshen a home graced by animal love. But we can also certainly understand why the client felt that way.
An otherwise very nice home was received negatively because the first impression was terribly unattractive and the smell encountered was most unpleasant to that potential new owner.
The fact is, many homes that languish on the market could sell, at a fair price and probably within a reasonable time frame if agents shared a few tips with sellers and sellers were willing to listen to the expert advice they were paying for.
· Leaving a pet in a closed off room just means the buyer will either cross the house off the list of possibilities because they didn’t get to view it unimpeded, or they will subconsciously lower the value in their own minds due to that inability to view the home without barriers. Better to house the pet off site during the selling process, perhaps a daytime sitter situation, for a better outcome for everyone, if at all possible. Not everyone likes snakes, lizards, birds, cats or dogs!
· Once a pet has been relocated, cleansing the home of pet smells can really pay off in the form of a sales contract.
· Just as you would do with children’s toys, pet paraphernalia should be stored away. Out of sight, out of mind.
· NEVER put your pet at risk by trusting strangers to safeguard them from running out of doors, as is unfortunately the request that often comes when cats are residents in a home.
Give your home every chance to sell, sell quickly and sell at the best possible price while safe guarding your furry family members. Your local RE/MAX Alliance Associate can show you how!