How to Handle Home Showings with Pets

-How to Handle Home Showings with Pets-

Many homeowners and sellers with pets ask us how to handle home showings. To celebrate National Love Your Pet Day on February 20th, our pet-friendly real estate team is offering you free tips for this common question.

Above all, do not buy into the old idea that any sign of pets should be hidden. A large percentage of homebuyers will factor their own pets into the homebuying process.

As for Tampa Bay, our area is highly ranked for pets. Tampa and St. Petersburg are named in the top three pet-friendly cities in the U.S. by WalletHub.

4 Steps to Sell Homes Where Cats and Dogs Live

Many people selling homes today have cats and dogs living in the home. With this in mind, let’s look at ways to keep your pets happy, while also showing your home in the best possible light.

Here are four simple steps for success during home showings where cats or dogs live:

First, most importantly, keep your cats and dogs safe and secure during showings. The best way for you to do this is to take them to another location prior to any open house or showing. This could be simple. Take a car ride with your cat in her carrier or enjoy a quick visit to a friend or family member’s home.

Of course, there are also many pet-friendly cafes, parks, and beaches to enjoy with your furry friends around the greater Tampa Bay area. If needed, choose one of the many pet-sitting services or doggy daycares in Tampa or St. Petersburg.  Our area caters to today’s busy pet parents.

Second, do your best to keep your home clean and smelling nice. This may sound easier said than done, but cleanliness is noticed by most buyers. This goes beyond vacuuming up fur and cleaning the litter box, which are both essential tasks.

Also, be sure to clean and dispose of any litter or yard waste. Place in a tightly sealed outdoor trashcan before each showing. Also, while a clean blanket may be fine, we would suggest that you stash or trash any raggedy old blankets or chewed up toys when decluttering and cleaning rooms before showings.

Third, make replacements and updates for any pet-damaged items or areas. As the simplest strategy, you can discard damaged items, such as furniture or rugs. Repairs may also be needed, such as covering or replacing scratched or damaged floors. At the very least, be sure to clean carpets to remove stains or smells before a buyer walk-through.

Finally, Show Off the Pet Perks 

Fourth, highlight pet perks around your home. These could be of great interest to homebuyers with pets. Leave a new cat toy on a window seat to signal how much Kitty enjoys basking in the sun. Likewise, dog owners will love to see special features like a grooming station in the mudroom, a pet nook, toxin-free landscaping, or a fully fenced-in yard.

Additionally, add a framed photo of your pet at the dog park or dog beach to remind prospective buyers that this area is terrific for Fido!

Our pet-friendly real estate team will also help ensure your listing has plenty of photos and videos. We suggest highlighting the best features of your home in your listing to help ensure only fully interested buyers are requesting in-person showings.

We enjoy helping customers navigate all aspects of the real estate process. Contact Dick and Karla Nielsen at 813-294-5786 for information about investing, buying, and selling homes in Florida.