This year I will be sponsoring the Rescue Haven Adoption Center at the Winnipeg Pet Show, with the lovely Amanda Agostino. In the spirit of this event, I would like to talk about selling your home when you have pets. When you are preparing your home for the market, you will likely have a list of things you would like to do to the home before presenting it to potential home buyers. When you focus on those things that need to be done, sometimes it is easy to forget or think about what you will do when the time comes to start showings and you have a pet. As a pet owner, myself, our furry friends are very important to us. It is important to remember that the selling process will be stressful for our fluffy family members, and also present some extra challenges during the selling process. Be prepared and make this transition as easy as possible, for you, your pets and your future home purchaser.
Below are some great tips on how to prepare your home before listing.
1.) Do a deep cleaning: While most people will do a thorough cleaning, when you have pets it is important to remember those hard to see and easy to forget spots, Make sure to remember to vacuum or sweep behind all furniture, under area rugs, and inside all the closets. Pet hair and dust can accumulate in all of these areas easily. You may even want to consider having your furnace ducts cleaned. By doing this, it will help to remove any pet odours in the home.
If cleaning is not your thing, consider hiring a professional company to assist you. Make sure you let them know that you will want the above things done. If you would like some referrals for some great cleaning companies in Winnipeg, just let me know.
2.) Clean up your pet belongings: Pets or not, it is always a great idea to de-clutter your home. This is one of the most inexpensive ways to prepare your home for sale. When you have pets, remember to clean up items like the following: cat towers, toys, blankets, beds, and especially cat litter boxes. You don't have to remove these items from the home, just make sure they are off to the side and there is no risk that someone will step on a squeaky dog toy, or pass a full cat litter box. Consider putting the pet food and water dishes under the sink for showings, the toys and blankets in a little storage box, and PLEASE, make sure that if the cat litter box can't be removed that it is clean and empty. If you have hamsters or rabbits, ensure that their enclosures are clean and fresh as well.
3.) Clean up the exterior of your home: The exterior of your home is usually the first thing a purchaser will see, whether they see your home on line, or they drive by. It is always important that this space be clean, and presentable. But if you have animals, it is even more important to remember that you need to clean up after your pet. If your furry buddy uses the back yard as its bathroom, remove all evidence of this. The LAST thing you want is for potential buyers to step in a pile of you know what.
It's also common for animals that have access to the outdoors to dig. Make sure all holes are filled in. If the grass is damaged in the areas that they use, consider levelling it out and putting in some sod. During the home selling process, it will be important that your animals doesn't have free reign in the yard to dig up all your hard work. Make sure you supervise your animals while they are in this area afterwards.
4.) Repair any interior damage: Your home is their home too, and floors usually take a bit of a beating when you have animals. Make sure that floors are in good condition. If they are full of scratches, you may want to consider replacing them, if that is in your budget. If not, be prepared for potential purchasers to take into consideration that they will have to be the ones that do so. If your pet has chewed on any furniture, walls, etc, make sure that these areas are fixed as well. Check and replace and torn or ripped window screens, lower trim work, cabinet doors etc.
5.) Don't restrict showings because of your pets!: Our Real Estate market in Winnipeg is strong, and if your home is properly represented, and priced, the average days on market isn't anything crazy long. One of the worst things a seller can do, after the home is listed, is to restrict the times showings are allowed, due to their animals. The primary reason why restricting the times your home can be shown can be detrimental is due to the fact that a buyer will not stop their home search because they cannot get into your home. You will miss opportunities by doing this. BE PREPARED. Make sure you have a plan of action for your pets during the showing part of the process. Either arrange alternative arrangements for your pets during the day, when you are at work, or make sure you will be able to go home and take them out for a walk or car ride. You can also consider a kennel, or day care services for your pet.
6.) Secure your pets: If you are unable, or unwilling to do the above, please make sure that you restrict your animals to a kennel or crate in the home, Don't give them free access to roam the home while showings are happening. Many people have a fear of animals, and/or would be uncomfortable around someone elses pets. Also, you risk your pets escaping the house, or even worse, hurting a potential buyer, Realtor, or themselves. Believe me, I have shown many homes that have remarks such as, please don't let the cat/dog out! Well, if they get out, it's not fun chasing it around the neighbourhood, and unlikely they will listen to a stranger telling them to come back. Imagine how horrible it would be getting a call at work saying Fido got out during a showing.
7.) Final thoughts: Selling a home with pets does add extra challenges to the process, but that doesn't mean that it has to be a stressful experience. Follow the above suggestions, and I promise you, it will be smooth sailing for you, your furry family member and the many people that will be coming through your home.
For all of your Real Estate questions or needs, feel free to contact me anytime. Tina August, REALTOR(r), Royal LePage Top Producers. 204-989-6900.
