Every Pet Owner’s Guide to Perfectly Staging a Home by Cindy Aldridge
Knowing how to properly stage a home can be tricky. Throw pets into the mix, and it can be even tougher. Potential buyers can be deterred by the presence of pets in a home, so it’s best to keep your pet, and its smells, out of the picture when putting your home on the market. But how can you stage your home while still living with your pets? Here are a few hints to help you prepare your home.
Keep The Place Clean
No matter how much you dust and sweep, pet hair can get trapped throughout your home. Your dog or cat can leave dander in vents, on walls and in little crevices. If you have the resources, consider hiring a professional cleaning company to come in and deep clean your home. They can tend to the tiny spots you may miss in your normal cleaning routine and ensure all pet messes are wiped out. Once your deep clean is finished, take care to keep your house tidy throughout the selling process. You may need to spend some extra time making sure your home is spotless or retain your cleaning service to complete regular work around your home.
Get Rid Of, But Don’t Mask, Foul Odors
Using scented candles or diffusers to cover up pet odors is fine when you’re living there. These popular odor maskers, however, can put off potential buyers before a showing even starts, so try to use techniques to get rid of pet odors that may be lingering around your home. Curtains, upholstery and carpets are notorious for trapping smells as years pass by, so consider having them professionally cleaned. If that still doesn’t get rid of odors, it may be best to replace any old carpets and clear out smelly drapes or furniture while there’s a potential for open houses and showings. Also, be sure to change out any air filters to keep your home smelling fresh and clean. Open windows can help as well.
Put Away Pet Items For Showings
If you’re trying to create the illusion of not having a pet in your home, you’ll need to have a good hiding spot for pet supplies. You’ll need to make sure leashes, bowls, litter boxes and bedding are all out of sight when your house is being shown to potential buyers. One of the easiest and most economical ways to do this is to pick up a couple of cardboard moving boxes. Place your pet items inside, and then stash the boxes in a closet when you know people will be dropping by the house. Since buyers assume you’re moving soon, they will be none the wiser when they spot your packed boxes.
Groom Your Grass
Pets have a way of wreaking havoc on your lawn. Whether it’s pottying or digging, if your pet has damaged your grass, be sure to make some repairs. Fill in any holes around the house. Make sure flower beds and gardens are nice and neat, and pick up any toys. For your grass, you may be able to use tricks to fill in yellow or sparse spots, or think about putting some new seed down. This is another area where hiring pros can help, so look into economical ways to keep your yard in top shape for showings.
Have A Safe Plan For Pets
You’ve cleaned your house, put all the squeaky toys away, and have your yard looking perfect. In all the hustle and bustle, did you think about what to do with your pet? Showings can pop up with little notice, so it’s good to have a care plan that will get your pet out of the way. Leave your pet with a trusted neighbor or friend if you can, or pay ahead for a block of time at your favorite pet daycare to help you out.
Pets can be perfect companions, but they can be deal breakers when you’re trying to sell a house. Put together your staging plan with these tips so potential buyers never know you have a pet, and you can sell your house sooner!
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