Home Staging with Pets

Staging your home means showing it at it's very best and appealing to the largest number of buyers possible. Unfortunately, not all buyers are going to be pet lovers, and in fact a home with pets can cause concerns to potential buyers - have the pets done any damage to the home? WIll the home smell like the pet? How will this affect their allergies?

My recommendation (and this coming from a mom to two cats) - remove the pets altogether for the time the home is on the market. I know this is difficult, and it doesn't have to be a permanent move, but if you have a friend or relative that is willing to take your furry friend(s) for a little while, this will increase your chances of selling your home faster.

If it is not possible to find a temporary home for your pet(s), there are actions you can take to minimize the affect of them on the sale of your home:

- Minimize their presence - this means storing all toys, beds, and food during showings. Store food and treats somewhere other than the pantry or kitchen.
- For dogs, ensure that they are out of the house at the time of showings - take them for a walk or to visit a friend. Be sure that the yard is cleaned up daily.
- For cats, clean the litter box twice daily to avoid an odour build-up, and be sure that it is out of sight - your cats will find the litter box wherever you move it to, all you need to do is show them where it is.