Sellers with Pets

Tips for pet owners who are selling their property

Sigh.  Unfortunately, not everyone loves our pets as much as we do.  It is important to consider why people may have a negative reaction to our pets so that we can remove any possible barriers to the sale of your home. 

Possible reason for a buyer’s objection to pets may be as follows:

  • allergies
  • fear of pets
  • concerns about the hygiene of pets inside homes or in the yard (eg. pet urine or poo in house or yard)
  • concern that the smell of pets will not go away easily
  • a general dislike of animals
  • pet may be too distracting (too cute/ too underfoot etc) for buyer to relax and truly examine your home

Even people who own pets still may not like your pet.  Some people are cat peole and some like tarantulas.  And that is totally cool – to each his own; however, we still want top dollar for your house.  Because you want to ensure the pool of people who may potentially buy your property be as big as possible, it is often to your advantage to minimize your pet’s presence in the home. 

Let’s look at some strategies that may help minimize your pet’s presence in your home in the mind of the buyer:

1.  Remove the pet from the home during the selling period .

The absolute best suggestion for showing your house to buyers is to remove your pet(s) from the property during the time it is for sale.  If possible, have the pet stay with a friend, family member or kennel as a way of making your home easier to show.  This will ensure your real estate agent has access to bring buyers to your place at a time when they need to see it.  The agent will also not have to worry about controlling your pet in front of buyers (if the pet is a barker or lunger).  You as the owner also don’t have to worry if the pet darts out the door if it isn’t suppose to go outside.  It will also be less stressful for the pets.  It can be hard for them to have strangers wandering through their domain.  

Removing the pet from the home will also make it easier to remove pet concerns from the house…and the mind of the buyer. The pet’s accessories will not be around causing concerns. (eg. dishes, toys, collars etc)   The idea of fleas, pet hair, pet smells etc will not be foremost in their brain as they tour the home.  Additionally, having your pet live temporarily elsewhere will allow you to do a thorough cleaning to get rid of fur, dander and smells that are on-going if the pet is living in the home. Finally, if your pet is not there then it will not be a distraction for the buyers as they walk through the home.    

If removing the pet from the home is not possible, then we need to consider Plan B…

2.  Remove the pet from the home during showings (open houses, agent opens, buyer showing etc)

Okay, yes, I know that while my suggestion in #1 is most ideal, it may not be possible to have your pet be away from you for the entire time it takes to sell your home.  Some homes take longer to sell and a long pet/owner separation could be anxiety producing for you both!  So for many of the reasons listed above, it is a good idea to have your pet out of the home while buyers are there.  During open houses, take your pet out for a walk or over to a neighbours so that it is out of the way.  Try boarding it at a doggie day care if possible for showing days.  Speak with your real estate agent and have showings only on set days and times and have a plan to remove the pet from the home.  This will create peace of mind for you, your pet, your agent and your potential buyers.

If removing the pet from the home during buyer showings is still not possible, then we need to consider Plan C….

3.  Plan for the security of your pet during showings and minimize pet concerns for buyers

It may also not be possible for you to take your pet out of the home for each and every showing – you may be at work or your agent may want to show your place on short notice.  What needs to happen next is some pre-planning around the showings of your home.  Speak to your real estate agent to solicit ideas from him or her as to how best to show your property and to protect your pet in the process.  

If the pet is staying in the home during viewing (and you are not able to be there), here are some ideas to protect your pet and to encourage buyers to enjoy your place:

  • If the pet must stay in the house for showings, have the pet contained in a pet crate.  Put a note on the crate to tell people not to bother the pet.  You don’t want strangers poking their fingers in the cage only to have them scratched or bitten if they startle your pet. (Locking the pet in the basement, garage or yard, can hinder the buyer’s ability to fully view your home.)
  • Have a pet care plan with an on call network:  Make a list of supportive people you trust – a friend, family member, neighbour, pet sitter etc – people that know your pet and have a key to your house.  If a short notice showing occurs, and you cannot get home, arrange to have them come over and care for your pet before buyers arrive by implementing your pet care plan for showings.  (eg. Have them take your pet for a walk or over to their house etc.  Discuss the situation ahead of time so everyone is clear on what to do)
  • Set your showings for specific days of the week only.  Then board your pet for the day at a doggie day care or hire a pet sitting service to take your pet out for walks during that time. 
  • If you have an unusual pet such as a snake, tarantula, mice etc remove it from the home or put a covering on the cage if possible.  Some people have a strong fear of unusual pets and we don’t want a potential buyer to be scared of being in the house because of them.
  • Ensure pet has ID and up to date tags in the event the pet gets out of the house.
  • Ensure your real estate agent knows the pet’s name, location of treats or any other details pertaining to your pet.

Okay….so hopefully you now have a plan in place to take care of your pet(s) during showings….what else should you do to help sell your home….well…..

4.  Remove signs of pet presence during the selling period or (at minimum) during the buyer showing.

While we all get used to our pets and their mess, outsiders will not be used to it.  Again, some people do not like pets for one reason or other and we don’t want them to avoid buying your house because of it.  Just as you would depersonalize your home to make it show better, you also need to de-petify your home to remove any concerns about pets that a buyer may have. 

De-pettifying your home may mean:

  • Removing pet food dishes and water bowls from floor.
  • Remove (or at very least clean thoroughly) cat litter box and bags of litter
  • Remove puppy training pads from home or view
  • Remove pet pictures from home or view
  • Remove pet food bags and cans from view
  • Remove bed baskets or toy boxes from home or view.
  • Remove leashes and collars from home or view
  • Remove cat scratching posts from home or view
  • Remove cages or carriers from home or view
  • Exchange doggie doors for full doors.
  • Remove pet feces from yard

The smell of your pet is one thing that can be tricky to remove.  We get used to how our pets smell but others may be offended by it.  To counter pet smells, vacuum the home thoroughly.   Wash the floors and walls and then paint them if needed. Dust for hairs and danders.   Wash the windows and blinds.  Diligently clean the litter box and puppy pads.  (Nothing is more startling for a buyer than to open a closet door only to find a full litter box sitting there!) Have your carpets and floors professionally cleaned to get rid of pet stains.  If the stains can’t be removed, you may want to replace the carpet or floor.  This will ensure a stronger impression is made upon a buyer. 

One smell that is particularly hard to get rid of is cat urine.  You may want to try enzyme cleaners such as Nature’s Miracle or calling a professional cleaning company to give you their opinion.  A treatment by an Ozone Generator can help eliminate pet odours but you will need to vacate your home for a specific amount of time while the process is occurring. Have a non-pet owning neighbour come and do an honest sniff test.  If they can smell cat urine, it is time to do a good clean or perhaps consult a professional who can get rid of the smell of cat urine.

5.  Discuss the needs of your pet (and your pet friendly property) with your real estate agent. 

Your real estate agent wants to help you with your real estate needs and to sell your home.  Discuss your concerns with him or her. 

Ask your agent to put a note in the realtor remarks section on the MLX system if there are any special instructions for dealing with your pet.  E.g.  Showings on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons only due to indoor only pet on site.  If owner is not able to take cat with her, cat will be contained in pet crate in study during showings.  Do not disturb. Do not let cat outside.

Ultimately, your real estate agent wants to focus on selling your home.  To ensure safety of your pets during the home selling process, it may be best to take your pet with you during showings.   To ensure your home shows well to all buyers regardless of their feelings towards pets, seriously consider de-pettifying your home so that pets are not a barrier to buying.

Information on Moving your Pet

 Moving your pet can be stressful.  Here are some tips to keep your friend safe and calm during your transition. 

  • Don’t throw out your pet’s toys and bedding. Keep them for when you move to the new home.
  • Ensure your pet has proper identification (e.g. Collar/ ear tattoo) Update the new info at the vet
  • Ask your current vet for the name of a trusted associate in your new area (if you are moving far away) and arrange to have records sent.
  • Plan to keep your pet safe and out of the way on moving day. Ensure windows and doors are secure so the pet doesn’t suffer a fall or dart outside.
  • In the days after the move, try to maintain the pet’s normal routine – food times, walks etc.
  • Keep cats (both in and outdoor cats) inside the house for a couple of weeks so they can become oriented