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October
19

Showing a Home with Pets

Are you thinking about listing your home this year? There are a lot of great Richmond homes for sale right now! If you want to get the best possible offer, you'll need to do everything you can to make sure your property stands out from the crowd.

Our real estate agents work with many sellers who consider their pets to be a part of the family. Unfortunately, not all buyers agree. While it doesn't take much extra effort for pet owners to prepare their homes, there are a few things you'll want to do. 

  1. Hide the Evidence
    Two of the most important words to remember when preparing your home to sell are "declutter" and "depersonalize." This goes for your pet's belongings as well. Before showing your home, remove all pet beds, toys, crates, scratching posts, and litter boxes. Wash your pet's food and water bowls and put them out of sight. Before you leave the house, take one final look to ensure you've removed all evidence that a pet lives there. 
  1. Deep Clean
    When you're a pet lover, you tend to stop noticing things like cat hair on throw rugs or drool slingers on baseboards. However, we can promise you that potential buyers will notice. It's a great idea to hire a professional to deep clean your entire home, including steam cleaning the carpets and scrubbing the baseboards. Also, make sure to wash any blankets, throw pillows, curtains, and comforters, as they often hold onto hair and odors. 
  1. Get Rid of Odors
    Don't make the mistake of simply trying to mask odors with perfume spray or candles. Instead, use a neutralizing enzyme cleaner or a pet-specific deodorizer. You'll also want to change your air filter and consider adding an air purifier in the most-used rooms. Lastly, it's a great idea to invite a friend over or ask your real estate agent to stop by and give the house an honest sniff. This is the best way to ensure that you've fully eliminated any pet odors. 
  1. Repair Damage
    Scratches on your door frames damaged floors, and shredded furniture are all dead giveaways that there has been a pet in the home. Fix door scratches with wood filler and paint and remove or replace any damaged furniture or fabrics. If you have badly damaged hardwood floors, consider having them sanded down and refinished. 
  1. Clean Up the Yard
    Obviously, you'll want to do a thorough job of cleaning up any areas outdoors where your dog does his business. However, the work doesn't stop there. You'll also want to fix any holes in the yard, paint over claw marks on your fence, and remove any plants that have been damaged. 
  1. Remove Pets During Showing
    As soon as you decide to list your home, start thinking about where you'll take your pet during showings. Having strangers in the home can be stressful for your pet, and buyers will have a hard time concentrating if the dog is barking or the cat is scratching on the basement door. 
  1. Don't Forget About the Neighbor's Pets
    A dog yapping relentlessly next door or growling over the fence won't do you any favors. You won't always be able to do anything about this, but if you're on good terms with your neighbors, consider letting them know you're having a showing and asking them to keep their pets indoors while the potential buyers are there.  

Selling your home is easy when you have a great real estate agent by your side! Contact us today to get started. 

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