Selling Your Own Home - Pet Issues
If you are selling you own home, you need to consider the effect
of pets. People who are working with a real estate broker are
sure to get coached about the potential negative effect of pets.
If you aren't working with a broker, this article discusses the
pet issue.
When You Show Your Home
If you are selling you own home, you must realize a lovable pet
might cause the following problems:
1. The potential buyer may be so nervous about dogs that she
doesn't picture herself living in the home,
2. The potential buyer doesn't like pets and thus doesn't see
her furniture in the home in her mind's eye,
3. She doesn't picture the route she'd drive to and from work,
and doesn't imagine where she'd stop for errands or fun along
the way home.
In short, the presence of pets makes it difficult for the
potential buyer to see the house as their own. Is a potential
buyer in that frame of mind likely to buy that home? No.
Defense Against Pet Damage
If you have pets and you're selling your home as a FSBO, take
heed. Board your pet or pets while your property is on the
market. You can visit it, and take it for walks and to the park,
but don't take it home. Have carpets shampooed. If they're
really holding odors, you might even replace all or some of the
carpet. Get any damage the pet has done repaired. Store or get
rid of furniture you do not want to repair. Reseed the lawn and
repair any damage to plantings. You'll find this is money and
labor well spent.
Pets are an integral part of many people's lives and rightly so.
While you may love your pet, keep in mind potential buyers may
not.