Avoid “pet overload” when showing your house
Though you may feel your pets are an integral part of your family, potential buyers may not be as enamored. And, even if buyers have their own furry family members, they most likely will still not like your animals’ scents filling their noses when they take a tour of your listing. Ultimately, no buyer wants to be covered in foreign dog or cat fur or overcome with pet odor. Conveniently and cost-effectively, there are fairly easy ways to prevent “animal overload” during a showing.
1. Collect pet hair
If conventional vacuuming is not yielding desirable results, use clothes lint rollers, tape wrapped around the back of your hand sticky side out or damp rubber gloves to quickly and cheaply pick up lose pet hair from sofas, chairs, bedspreads and carpets. For bigger jobs, find an old paint roller and wrap the tape sticky side out around it and roll over the heavy fur buildups, changing the tape often.
2. Animal deterrents
If your animals are prone to scratching on furniture or using the carpet as a bathroom, purchase specialty products at a local feed and pet supply store. The products are designed to deter cats and dogs while not harming any member of the household – including you.
3. Make sure to wipe those paws off
Inexpensive, bulk-boxed, disposable wipes are the perfect near-door storage items. When pets come in from outside, catch them at the door before they have a chance to bring the outdoors in. Quickly clean off their feet with the wipes and toss the dirty moist toweletts into the nearby trash can. Little mess, not much fuss.
4. The sniff test
Before you list your home and offer an open invitation to potential buyers, invite over an objective family member, friend or neighbor that will give you an honest appraisal of whether there is a noticeable pet scent in the air. There are few things more distasteful to buyers than the pungent aroma from a wreaking litter box or visible (or not) pet stain in the carpet. Remember, just like a smoker, you may not be able to detect the extent of the offensive odor in your own house.
5. Dog and/or cat mini vacations
At the very least after cleaning the house, transport your animals to a family member, relative or good friend for a temporary pet reprieve from your listing. Even if you have the friendliest fido or kitty in the known universe, the vast majority of buyers will appreciate the quiet, clam of a house sans pets. Also, remember to stow any pet toys or pet photos. You are not lying when objects are out of view. You are simply creating the best home presentation possible.