The art of selling may be involved when trying to sell a pet-friendly home to potential buyers who may or may not be owners of pets. However, staging a pet-friendly home while still making it very appealing to all buyers can make quite a difference. Here are some simple tips on how to stage a pet-friendly selling home:
Clean Up Pet Areas
First and foremost, stage the pet-friendly home by ensuring the space is clean and free from any signs of a pet making a mess. The buyers want a tidy, well-kept home with deep, clean carpets, floors, and furniture to remove the pet hair and odors. Remember to clean the pet toys, bedding, and feeding areas. A clean and fresh-smelling home will be more attractive to potential buyers, even for those who don’t have pets.
Highlight Dog-Friendly Features
If your home happens to have features that pet owners dream of, make sure to highlight those. These could be anything from a fenced-in backyard to a pet door, or even an in-laundry pet washing station. These features will show how convenient the home will be for their cats and dogs.
If you have a yard, for example, you might want to mention having dogs that run and play; if you have parks or walking trails nearby, mention those because so many pet owners are seeking homes from which their pets can easily enjoy outdoor activity.
Neutralize Accessories for Pets
While you may love your pets, potential buyers just don’t necessarily share your tastes. To make your house more appealing to the masses, neutralize those super personal pet decors. This doesn’t mean you necessarily have to remove all of the signs of your pet, but just keep things simple and clean.
Take down bold, pet-themed pillows or wall art and replace them with neutral-colored decorations. This helps buyers focus on the home’s overall design rather than being distracted by particular pet-related items.
Staging tips:
- Clean and organize pet toys and accessories.
- Store large pet crates or cages during showings.
- Keep pet areas clean and out of sight.
- Repair any pet damage.
If your pets have ruined anything in your home, take the time to repair those areas before showing your home to prospective buyers. This can include scratched flooring, chewed-up furniture, and torn doors.
Make the required repairs so your home may be presented in the best possible light and prospective buyers will not be left with the impression that they will have to spend more money than necessary to fix damages. A little effort to repair any pet damage can make your home more attractive to potential purchasers.
Keep the Pets Away from the Spotlight
It is best if your pets stay elsewhere during a showing or open house. Though many buyers may love animals, some are allergic to or uneasy around them. During the showing, keep your pets in a safe place, such as a friend’s house or a pet daycare. This also reduces distractions during viewings and allows buyers to focus on the home rather than the pets.
Conclusion
Staging your pet-friendly home should portray it as clean, inviting, and ready for any kind of buyer. Cleaning up any areas associated with your pet, highlighting features that are considered to make the house friendly to pets, neutralizing any kind of decoration that might have a relation to pets, and making minor repairs will add freshness to your home and create that great first impression. Keeping the pets away during viewings will make buyers feel welcome.
Contact NW Realty Group today to sell your pet-friendly home and make the process as smooth as possible.
