It’s no secret that pets can get in the way of selling a property; and as much as Brits love having furry and scaly companions around their homes, their odours and damages aren’t quite as endearing.
However, although selling with a pet comes with a few more challenges, it’s still possible to achieve a great sale through preparation and care. Here are some tips to help you and your pet along the way…
Staying with friends or family
This of course will depend on individual circumstance, but if the option is available to have your pet stay with a friend or family member during the sales process, you might be able to save yourself a lot of time and stress.
The upkeep of having to clean the property of any trace of your pet will take a lot of time and dedication, and even more so when you have to repeat the process several times to manage moving your pet in and out of the house around viewings.
While having your pet take a short holiday at another home is a good solution to this, there are some aspects to consider. You should only appoint the responsibility to someone your pets know and are comfortable with – and vice versa. There is also the matter of your pet needing to adjust to living somewhere temporarily, and then adjust again to their new home – this could cause a lot of stress for the animal.
Get advice from your vet
Selling your home can be a lengthy and stressful process, and it’s imperative to keep in mind that your pet has its own stresses and needs which should be addressed before you start. Having prospective buyers in and out of the house during viewings, and the transition to a new environment can cause extreme levels of stress in some pets.
Your vet will be able to help you draw up a plan that works best for your pet’s individual needs. This is a particularly important step if your pet is older and unlikely to adjust well to changes.
What to do during viewings
Temporary relocation may not be necessary for some pet owners, especially if your pet is easy to clean up after. Instead, you can simply keep the pet away during viewings and bring them home when the buyers have left.
Ideally, buyers prefer to visit a vacant home with the company of an estate agent, so removing yourself and your pets from the house could snatch you a quicker sale, and the inconvenience will be short-lived.
If your pets are often at home while you’re out, this will create a tricky situation for your agent, and you could be putting your pet at risk of accidentally fleeing the property. Furthermore, even a friendly pet can become territorial and aggressive when strangers enter the home without your presence, so it’s advisable to never leave a pet in this situation – the risk is simply not worth it.
If removing your pet from the property is not a viable option, it’s important to let your estate agent know as soon as possible so you can decide on a good plan of action.
Repairing pet damage
Even buyers who have beloved pets of their own can be turned off by pet damage, odours and stains. Cats and dogs in particular are renowned for wreaking havoc in expensive areas of the home such as carpeting, flooring, doors, walls, gardens and fencing. Before listing your home, you should get started on repairing any damages your pets have left behind – and dispel any odours or stains. This may require a hefty initial cost, but any money spent on repairs is an investment towards the overall value of the property.
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