BLOG: Top tips on preparing your home for market when you have pets by Associate Valuer, Emma Battson

Top tips on preparing your home for market when you have pets by Associate Valuer, Emma Battson

When you’re selling your home, you want to get the best possible price for the property, and in the quickest amount of time. You’ve refreshed the decoration and finished off all of the snagging jobs that you’ve putting off. At long last, your home is looking like a show home, all shiny and inviting, and ready for a buyer, because what can possibly put any buyer off buying your home now?  You feel you’ve covered all the bases; all except maybe your beloved pet!

It might come as a surprise that 10 million or 34% of UK households share their space with a pooch. In families with children, at least 77% of UK owners have a pet*. As an animal lover, you might assume buyers wouldn’t bat an eyelid at the prospect of viewing a property where a furry or feathered friend lives, because who wouldn’t love your pet as much as you do, right? However, you maybe be shocked to find out that many house hunters are actually put off by visiting a home where they have to share their space with a two- or four-legged friend.

It might not be obvious to you, but some buyers are seriously put off by signs and smells of pets, and there are many reasons why this might be the case; a buyer might have a severe allergy, or they may have had a bad experience in the past, or they just simply might love their own animals, and just not other people’s. Whatever the reason, first impressions count and, now might be the time to best minimise the signs of owning a pet.

Follow these tips that Emsleys Estate Agents offer, to ensure buyers aren’t put off making an offer on your home and subsequently getting that much wanted sale.

Here’s Emsleys guide on how to sell your home with pets:

• When you are preparing your home for sale pull up those sleeves, grab the marigolds and give your home a deep clean. Remove all the dirt, paw prints and animal hair – doing this will hopefully reduce pet odours too.
• While your home is on the market, try and be aware of being on top of the cleanliness, especially in high traffic areas.
• Repair and refresh any damage caused by your pets – has your pet chewed or scratched your woodwork? Is their mucky drool on the skirting boards or is there any holes dug in the back garden?
• Ensure that all pet toys, bedding/baskets, litter trays, and crates are stored out of the way. Lift up food and water bowls, putting these out of sight will create more floor space too and make your home feel bigger.
• TOP TIP, make sure you remember to remove the food bowls for the marketing photographs too, we don’t want to leave any clues behind!

• If there are pet items that you can’t simply hide, don’t worry, just please ensure they’re neatly presented, as tidy as possible and not looking messy.
• Pen a plan of action for when you are carrying out viewings. In an ideal world you don’t want your pets at home when your prospective buyers come around. It’s best to arrange for your pets to stay with a friend/family member, or even a pet sitter. Alternatively, even taking your pet out for a walk while the important viewing is taking place. Many buyers don’t want dogs jumping up at them, while they are trying to take in their surroundings – especially if they have brought their small children along with them.
• Spray some pet odour busting fabric spray on soft furnishings, like your sofa and chairs. Light a scented candle or buy a lovely smelling reel air freshener, this will help mask any pet odours.
• Consider having carpets cleaned throughout the house, not only will this refresh the carpets making them appear brighter and refreshed but will help deodorise the smell of pets too.
• Check the garden space, to make sure there are no droppings left behind, leaving a clean and spotless garden for your buyer to appreciate.

We feel that if you follow these steps set above, then your home will be looking and smelling amazing, and ultimately securing a much wanted sale on your home. Happy home selling!

 *Source World Animal Foundation Feb 2023