Selling your Property with Pets

We are a nation of pet lovers, with an estimated 40% of households owning a pet. From dogs to tortoises, if you’re looking for a new home chances are you will come across a pet or two. In 2016 it was estimated that the pet population in the UK stood at a whopping 57 million, which is why we’re sharing some advice with pet owners who are looking to sell their property. It’s a given that for your estate agent to take pictures of your home and show potential buyers around you will need to make your home as appealing as possible, but if you have pets there are some extra things that you need to consider.

Relocate

Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting that you rehome your pet, we just mean that they may need to temporarily relocate for your viewings – although not for the reasons you might think. Not everyone likes animals, so you don’t want to scare off any potential buyers, but there are also people who love animals just like you, who might be distracted by your adorable pet! To allow potential buyers to focus on your home, consider asking a neighbour or family member to look after them for the duration of the viewing. Or, if you have a dog, perhaps time your daily walk to coincide with your viewings, to allow your agent to focus on selling your property.

Remove

Your pet will have its own mini home, belongings and, regrettably, smell, so you will need to do your best to remove these from your home for pictures and viewings. First, tidying up the place where they sleep and collecting up their toys is a must. If you haven’t got a pet toy box already, invest in one so that you can hide their squeaky and slobbery toys away. If you own a pet with a cage or tank, simply ensure that the area is kept clean and tidy. Now, moving on to your pet’s odour. Unfortunately, almost every pet has a smell, which you may have become immune to, but your potential buyers will notice straight away. Bad smells are common factors putting buyers off a property, so to avoid this wash and clean your pet’s home thoroughly, spraying and neutralising any carpets and sofas etc. A little tip is to ask an honest friend if they can smell anything unpleasant as they enter your home.

Repair

Depending on your pet, you may also have to make some repairs around your home. Has your dog chewed your door, or cat clawed your curtains? These small damaged areas will be picked up on in your viewings, so take a good look around and fix anything that might suggest your pet isn’t as well-behaved as you like to think. Potential buyers can over-analyse your home, so if they see any damaged areas, they may then wonder what else needs fixing. To prevent this, clean and repair all of those little jobs before putting your home on the market.

Are you ready to sell or let your property? Take advantage of our instant online valuation tool, and then arrange for one of our experienced valuers to complete a detailed appraisal of your home – remember to follow our simple tips first. If you have any questions about selling or letting your home, talk to your local branch or visit us online.