Most people love pets, but they might still be scared if those pets are not their own. When it comes to selling a home and showings, buyers and their agents need to feel welcome to look at the property without danger or distractions. So even if we love our pets and think they are no danger to others, they might still bark and growl. And we are not talking just  about dogs, same goes for cats, birds, and reptiles. Here are some ideas on what to do when selling a home and preparing for showings. 

First and foremost, it is always a good idea to talk to your pet’s vet and discuss your plans; moving is not only stressful for the home owners, but for pets as well, especially for older pets.  

It might not be what you would like to do, but the best way is to remove them from the house. If it is not possible, the next best thing is to find someone who will take them for a period of time and who help take care of them. And if this is not a possibility also, then put them in a contained space and let a buyer and their agent know about it ahead of time or buyer a pet friendly cage to keep them in and make sure to let them know where in the house the cage will be. Also, it might be a good idea if the agent can acquaint themselves with the pet prior to showings to make it less stressful for everyone, including pets.

Also, prior to showings, make sure to repair any pet damages and remove pet odors and stains. Most of the time smells play a huge role when doing showing, buyer’s might be turned off by the smell and start thinking about the cost to replace carpets etc. and it might be the reason they pass on a home. So, make sure you are well prepared!

Flickr Creative Commons: Jaimy Lantzy (CC BY 2.0)
All photos used under this license.