Selling a home can be a challenging experience, especially when you have pets. While pets bring joy, companionship, and comfort to a home, they can also create challenges when it comes to staging your home for sale. Potential buyers may have allergies, fear of animals, or simply prefer a pet-free environment. Therefore, making your home as appealing as possible to all potential buyers is essential, and that includes addressing the presence of your furry friends.
Staging a home when you have pets requires some extra planning, effort, and attention to detail. However, with the right strategies, you can make sure that your home showcases its best features while ensuring that your pets’ needs are met. This article will explore in-depth how to stage your home for sale with pets, focusing on how to manage cleanliness, odors, space, and potential pet-related distractions.
Address the Smell Issue
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Pet odors are one of the most noticeable aspects of a home when selling, and they can be a deal-breaker for many buyers. Even well-behaved, clean pets can leave lingering scents that could turn off potential buyers. Thankfully, there are many ways to mitigate these odors during the home staging process.
Regular Cleaning
Before you start showing your home to potential buyers, deep-clean the entire house. Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery to remove pet hair. Dust surfaces that might be hiding pet dander. Use a steam cleaner to clean hardwood floors and tile to ensure that any dirt, hair, or odors are completely removed.
Additionally, clean areas like pet beds, crates, and toys. If they have been in use for a while, wash them thoroughly, as they may retain pet odors.
Air Freshening Solutions
Freshening the air in your home is another important step in staging your home when you have pets. Avoid using air fresheners that simply mask the odor; instead, focus on eliminating the scent. A few techniques include:
- Baking soda: Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, furniture, and pet bedding. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes before vacuuming it up. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that absorbs unwanted smells.
- Essential oils: Consider using a diffuser with essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or lemon, which not only freshen the air but also create a calming ambiance. Be cautious of any oils that could be toxic to pets.
- Charcoal bags: Activated charcoal is highly effective at absorbing odors and can be placed in various rooms, especially in areas where pets spend a lot of time, like pet beds or litter box areas.
Professional Odor Removal
If the odor problem persists despite your efforts, it may be time to hire a professional cleaning service. Professional odor removal experts can use ozone machines or other methods to eliminate pet odors from carpets, furniture, and even the air.
Focus on Cleanliness
Cleanliness is a major factor in making a home look appealing to potential buyers, and this is especially true when pets are involved. A dirty home, regardless of the reasons behind it, can quickly turn buyers off. Therefore, ensuring your home is spotless during the staging process is crucial.
Pet Hair Removal
Pet hair can be a significant issue, especially in homes with long-haired animals. Regular vacuuming is essential, but pet-specific vacuums are even more effective at picking up pet hair from carpets, upholstery, and hard floors. Consider investing in a vacuum designed for homes with pets.
You should also pay attention to hard-to-reach places like corners, baseboards, and underneath furniture, where pet hair can accumulate.
Cleaning Pet Accessories
Pet accessories like beds, blankets, and toys are essential for your pets’ comfort, but they can also add clutter and potential odor to your home. Make sure to clean and store them appropriately during showings.
- Wash pet bedding regularly: Clean your pet’s bed, blankets, and any other fabric they use.
- Store toys and pet dishes out of sight: Consider putting pet bowls, toys, and any other items away in storage or a closet to reduce clutter in areas where buyers will be touring.
Check the Litter Box
If you have cats, cleaning the litter box is one of the most important steps. Keep the box spotless and discreetly placed in a location where it’s not visible to buyers. If possible, avoid having the litter box in high-traffic areas, and change the litter often to prevent odors from escaping.
Declutter and Minimize Pet-Related Items
Potential buyers need to envision themselves in your space, and that can be difficult when they’re distracted by pet-related items. As part of your staging efforts, it’s important to minimize these items, creating a neutral environment that appeals to all buyers.
Pet Furniture
While pet furniture can add comfort for your animals, it can also take up valuable space and make a room feel cluttered. Remove any pet furniture, such as pet beds or crates, from areas where buyers will be walking. If your pet has a specific resting place, consider relocating it to a less visible spot during showings.
Pet Toys and Supplies
Pet toys, leashes, and other supplies should also be hidden away. Keep pet items in a designated area, such as a cupboard, closet, or storage bin. Clutter can detract from the overall appearance of a home, so make sure that everything is organized and stored out of sight.
Pet Food and Treats
Similarly, pet food and treats should be kept out of sight. Buyers may not be interested in seeing your pet’s food dishes or bags of treats. Store food in a clean, sealed container in a pantry or cupboard, and take away food and water dishes during showings.
Minimize Pet-Related Damage
Pets, especially dogs and cats, can sometimes cause damage to furniture, walls, or floors. Before staging your home, it’s crucial to address any pet-related wear and tear to ensure your home looks well-maintained.
Repair Scratches and Stains
- Walls and furniture: Cats, in particular, may scratch furniture, walls, or doors. Consider using touch-up paint for any visible damage, or replace damaged items.
- Carpets and flooring: If your pet has caused stains on carpets or hardwood floors, try to clean them with appropriate products. For hardwood floors, use a cleaner designed for pet marks, and for carpets, a professional deep cleaning may be necessary.
Pet-Proofing the Home
If your pet is prone to accidents or chewing, make sure to pet-proof your home in advance of showings. For instance, keep cords and wires out of reach and make sure that any furniture with sharp edges is safe for your pet.
Make Your Home Appealing to Buyers Without Pets
When staging your home, it’s important to ensure that the space is universally appealing and doesn’t cater exclusively to pet owners. While buyers who are pet owners may appreciate seeing pet-friendly features, it’s also essential to appeal to buyers without pets.
Neutral Decor
Choose neutral colors for walls, furniture, and decor that allow potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space. Bright colors or overly personalized decor may make it harder for buyers to picture the home as their own, especially if those colors are associated with your pet.
Create Pet-Free Zones
While it’s important to make the space feel comfortable for your pets, certain rooms should remain pet-free during showings. Designate specific areas for your pets and keep other areas clear of pet-related distractions. This will ensure that buyers can focus on the home’s features rather than pet-related concerns.
Provide Information About Pet-Friendly Features
If your home has pet-friendly features, such as a spacious yard, built-in pet beds, or a dedicated pet room, don’t hesitate to highlight these benefits. However, it’s important to emphasize these features in a way that doesn’t alienate potential buyers without pets.
Highlight the Yard or Outdoor Space
If you have a backyard that’s suitable for pets, make sure it’s well-maintained and clean during showings. Buyers with pets will appreciate the extra space for their animals, while those without pets will see it as a potential area for entertaining or relaxing.
Pet-Friendly Neighborhood
If you live in a pet-friendly neighborhood with dog parks or nearby walking trails, include this information in your listing description or during showings. Buyers who are pet owners will appreciate the convenience and accessibility of these amenities.
Create a Pet-Free Zone for Showings
On the day of a showing, it’s best to remove your pets from the house if possible. Not only does this prevent any distractions, but it also ensures that potential buyers can freely explore your home without concern for your pet’s behavior.
- Pet boarding or daycare: If you’re not able to take your pets with you during showings, consider boarding them at a pet care facility or asking a friend or family member to watch them.
- Hide pets in a designated area: If you have no choice but to leave your pets at home during showings, consider designating a specific area for them (such as a bedroom or crate) where they won’t be a distraction.
Conclusion
Staging a home for sale when you have pets can be challenging, but it is entirely manageable with some extra attention to detail. By addressing potential issues like odors, cleanliness, clutter, and damage, you can make your home more appealing to all types of buyers. At the same time, by highlighting pet-friendly features and minimizing distractions, you’ll make your home feel welcoming for pet owners while maintaining broad appeal.
The key to successfully staging a home with pets lies in finding a balance—showcasing the home’s best features while ensuring that pets don’t overwhelm the space. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can make your home as appealing as possible and increase your chances of a successful sale.