When selling your home, keeping it inspection-ready at all times is hard enough without having pets to contend with as well. While we love them dearly, pets do add an additional challenge to the table when selling. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.

Here are some tips when selling with one or more pets.

Remove your pet from the property during Open Homes
You could ask a close friend or neighbour to look after your pet while your home is on show. Or perhaps you could consider doggy day care. Check online for services available near you.

Let your pet have a holiday away from home during the sales campaign
While it may not be practical to remove your pet from your property for a number of weeks, it is a great idea if you feel comfortable leaving your pet in someone else’s care during that period. It will make keeping your property inspection ready much easier and less stressful.

Remove pet hair
Anyone who owns a dog or a cat, depending on the breed, knows how much hair they can shed, especially in the warmer months. Pet hair all over the carpet and furnishings is a turn-off for prospective buyers, as is constant sneezing for someone allergic to dogs or cats.

When selling, it’s important to ensure the experience for buyers coming through is a positive one.

Paying a professional to clean your carpets and other hair-heavy areas before the campaign starts is money well spent.

Remove signs of your pet & their odour
There is no point removing your cat from the home during inspections if you leave the litter tray in the laundry. The same is true for your dog’s bed, toys, bones and droppings in the back yard.

Once removed, pay attention to any lingering pet odours. Most people find that removing the evidence will also remove the odours. But just to be sure, create a subtle (but not overpowering) aroma in the home. Freshly baked bread, muffins or freshly ground coffee are still popular choices. These days the choice of quality plug-ins, essential oils and fragrant candles are also excellent choices to enhance the mood in the home and remove any lingering doggy or feline odours.

Don’t stress
Last but not least, remember you’re not the only one who loves their four-legged friend. Many potential buyers specifically look for a home that is pet friendly – a home that is fully fenced with some lawn in the back yard, a home that may have a doggy or cat door installed, a home that is close to parks and trails for walks with their best friend etc.