Essential Tips for a Stress-Free Sale with Pets
Selling a home is challenging enough on its own, but adding pets into the mix can make things a bit trickier. From shedding fur to unexpected messes, pets bring extra considerations when preparing your house for the market. But don't worry—you can still sell your house with pets successfully! With the right approach, you can keep your home in tip-top shape and make a great impression on buyers.
In this blog, we’ll explore some practical tips to help you sell your house with pets while keeping your furry friends comfortable and buyers happy.
1. Start with a Deep Clean
The first step in preparing to sell your house with pets is giving your home a deep clean. Pets often leave behind fur, dander, and odors, which buyers might notice right away. Even if you’ve gotten used to the smell, it’s essential to ensure your home smells fresh and clean.
Here are a few cleaning tasks to tackle:
Vacuum and Sweep Daily: Pet hair can gather quickly, especially if your pet sheds. Vacuum carpets and sweep floors regularly to keep your home looking its best.
Wash Fabrics: Pet odors can stick to furniture, bedding, and curtains. Wash or steam clean any fabric surfaces to remove lingering smells.
Clean Pet Areas: Make sure to deep clean litter boxes, food areas, and any pet beds. Buyers don’t want to see or smell your pet’s things.
By creating a clean, fresh environment, you'll boost your chances of impressing potential buyers. This is particularly important if you're listing South Nashua houses for sale, where buyers may be looking for a spotless home.
2. Manage Pet Odors
One of the biggest challenges when you sell your house with pets is handling pet odors. Even if you clean regularly, pet smells can linger in carpets, furniture, and air vents. Luckily, there are ways to manage this:
Use Air Purifiers: An air purifier can help reduce pet dander and smells in your home, keeping the air fresh.
Try Natural Deodorizers: Sprinkle baking soda on carpets or use essential oil diffusers to neutralize odors without overwhelming the house with strong scents.
Groom Your Pets: Regularly grooming your pets reduces shedding and odors, making it easier to keep your home smelling clean.
Pet odors can turn off buyers, so taking extra steps to eliminate them will go a long way toward selling your home faster.
3. Relocate Your Pets During Showings
As much as we love our pets, they can be a distraction to potential buyers. To make things easier, it’s best to relocate your pets during showings. Not only will this keep buyers focused on your home, but it also ensures your pets don’t get stressed by strangers in the house.
Here are a few options for relocating your pets:
Ask a Friend or Family Member: If possible, have someone watch your pets during showings or open houses.
Use a Pet Daycare: Many pet daycares offer hourly or daily services, which can be a great option during busy showing days.
Take Them for a Walk: If it’s a short showing, you could simply take your dog for a walk or go for a car ride while buyers are viewing the home.
Removing pets during showings is especially helpful for homes listed as South Nashua houses for sale, where buyers might want to focus on the property rather than the animals inside.
4. Hide the Evidence of Pets
While some buyers might love pets, others may not be as enthusiastic. It’s best to create a neutral environment by hiding any evidence that pets live in the house. Here’s how you can do that:
Store Pet Supplies: Put away food bowls, litter boxes, pet toys, and beds before each showing. Buyers want to see the house, not your pet’s belongings.
Repair Pet Damage: Check for scratches on doors, chewed-up furniture, or stains on the carpet. Repairing these issues ahead of time will help your home look well-maintained.
Tidy Up the Yard: If you have a dog, make sure your yard is clean and free of any pet-related messes. A tidy yard makes a better impression.
Hiding pet evidence helps create a neutral, buyer-friendly environment, especially when selling South Nashua houses for sale.
5. Schedule Showings Around Your Pets’ Routine
Selling your house often means showing it at all hours of the day. However, it’s important to consider your pet’s routine. If possible, schedule showings at times that don’t disrupt your pet's day. This helps reduce stress for both you and your furry friend.
For example:
If your dog barks at the door, try to schedule showings during their usual walk time.
If your cat hides from strangers, plan showings while they’re napping or resting in a safe room.
Keeping your pets in mind when scheduling showings will make the selling process smoother for everyone.
6. Create a Pet-Free Zone
Another strategy to sell your house with pets is to designate a pet-free zone. This is especially helpful if you can't relocate your pets during every showing. Choose a room or area where your pets can stay while buyers are viewing the house.
Make sure this room is clean, well-ventilated, and free of any pet odors. You can also use this space to store pet supplies out of sight.
Having a pet-free zone ensures buyers can tour most of your home without being distracted by your pets, which can be especially useful when showcasing South Nashua houses for sale.
7. Staging Tips for Homes with Pets
Staging your home is key when selling, and it’s even more important when you have pets. Here are some staging tips to keep in mind:
Keep It Simple: Declutter and remove any unnecessary furniture or decor. A clean, minimal look helps buyers imagine themselves in the space.
Use Neutral Decor: Avoid bold colors or patterns that might distract buyers. Stick to neutral, calming colors that appeal to a wide audience.
Highlight the Best Features: Make sure buyers notice the best parts of your home. Open up curtains to let in natural light, or rearrange furniture to show off a spacious layout.
Staging your home properly will make a big difference in how buyers perceive it, even if you have pets. This is especially true for South Nashua houses for sale, where buyers might have specific expectations.
8. Communicate with Your Realtor
Selling your house with pets requires a bit more planning, so it’s important to communicate openly with your realtor. They can help you strategize and make sure your home appeals to buyers without any pet-related distractions.
Let your realtor know if you need extra time to prepare for showings or if you prefer certain showing times based on your pet’s schedule. Your realtor will work with you to make sure everything goes smoothly, even with pets in the house.
9. Highlight Pet-Friendly Features
If your home has pet-friendly features, don’t be afraid to highlight them! Some buyers will appreciate a home with a fenced yard, pet doors, or durable flooring. These features can be a selling point for families who love animals.
When listing your home, mention any pet-friendly perks in the description. Buyers with pets will see the value in these features, especially if they’re looking at South Nashua houses for sale where outdoor space and family-friendly amenities are a priority.
10. Prepare for Last-Minute Showings
Last-minute showings are a part of the home-selling process, and having pets can make these more challenging. Be prepared by keeping your home tidy at all times. A quick vacuum, some air freshener, and stashing pet supplies in a closet can make a big difference in a hurry.
Also, have a plan for your pets if you get a last-minute call. Keeping a leash or pet carrier handy will allow you to relocate your pets quickly.
Selling Your House with Pets is Possible!
Selling your house can be stressful, but selling your house with pets doesn’t have to be. By following these simple steps, you can keep your home clean, create a pet-friendly plan, and make a great impression on buyers.
Whether you’re selling in New Hampshire or preparing to list South Nashua houses for sale, these tips will help you navigate the process with pets in tow. Keep your furry friends comfortable, and you’ll be on your way to a successful sale in no time!
If you are looking sell your house with a pet, these ideas will help you achieve great results. If you need more tips or are ready to sell your home give us a call at (603) 883-8840. You can also reach out to Our Agents for more information. We’d love to help you with your real estate needs.
