Selling Your Home with Pets
By Chris Petry
In recent years, and especially after returning from the pandemic, pets have become a more noticeable presence in places they might not have ordinarily been. Society’s shift in acceptable spaces for our furry friends has also affected the way they view animals within the home. Ten years ago, home sellers did everything in their power to hide the presence of their pets during showings.
Take a look at this Zillow article from just five years ago, where you’re encouraged to remove any traces of a pet from the property. A Quickenloans survey from earlier this year revealed just how much attitudes surrounding this conventional wisdom have shifted. They found that nearly 80% of people polled said that signs of pets in a home, would NOT deter them from making an offer. The one caveat being obvious damage. Two out of every 10 people polled actually found signs of pet ownership, barring any substantial damage, to be a plus. Those polled were split down the middle about whether or not the neighbor’s noisy pooch would affect their likelihood of making an offer with cat owners being less likely. As expected, non-pet owners were the most likely of all to be deterred by the presence of domestic animals.
As per Forbes, 66% of US households currently room with a pet. That amounts to around 86.9 million households with a dog, cat, fish, bird or other small animal living within. That’s a 56% increase in pet ownership since 1988. While it’s still not recommended you visibly display a dirty litter box or pass on picking up the remnants of a chewed-up rawhide in the living room, people are much less put off by signs of pets in homes.
How can pet owners maximize the appeal of their homes for sell? Mainly by showing that you’re aware of the unfortunate messes and damage that might accompany pets and be proactive about addressing them. Some of those proactive measures may even increase the appeal of your home. For instance, it’s no surprise that pet owners (particularly those with dogs) desire fenced in yards. Having a fence might attract buyers who desire the security it brings.
While statistics on this are harder to pin down, pet might also prefer easy to clean flooring like vinyl, laminate, or tile. Carpet, especially, can be off-putting to buyers. If they have the pet(s) they can already imagine the extra work that will be needed to maintain a carpet free of stains and odors. If the prospective buyer has no pets of their own, but know the seller does, they might question the cleanliness of the carpet they’re purchasing. Even if the homeowner has done an admirable job of maintaining it. Replacing carpeting or having it professionally cleaned before a showing or open house might be your best bet, especially if it’s impossible to remove pets from the home for a short while.
While we all adore our own pets and attitudes regarding their presence seem to have changed in the last few years, it’s still a good idea to make sure their footprint… excuse me… pawprint is minimal at the time someone views your home. For safety, for efficiency, and for providing the best possible look at what really matters to a buyer: the home itself.
