Laura Lohman with her Great Dane, Beau.
Pet owners must prepare homes for prospective buyers
Laura Lohman of Main Key Realty said pet owners seeking to sell their homes should take extra steps to prepare their houses for viewing by prospective buyers.
“When buyers are looking for their dream home, they are picking apart every inch of yours,” she said. “If you want top dollar and profit on the sale of your home, you need a plan when it comes to your pets. Dogs can often be one of the most stressful challenges for sellers and one of the biggest deterrents to prospective buyers. The majority of Americans love pets, but they don’t want to see how your pets have impacted the cleanliness of your home. The cleaner and more kept your home shows, the better when it comes to selling.”
She suggests several steps for pet owners to ready their homes to go on the market.
“Replace anything chewed, scratched or clawed,” Lohman said. “Wipe baseboards and walls. Deep clean carpets and floors. And don’t forget to maintain your yard – pick up those droppings and repair decks or fencing your pet may have damaged. The more you show a buyer you have taken care of inside and out, the better.”
Lohman said home sellers should plan ahead for when they are having an open house.
“Removing your pets from the home is desirable to the prospective buyers, but it can end up being the most stressful part of the transaction for the seller,” she said. “Consider boarding your pets for a long weekend or house them at the home of a family member or friend during long days of showings.
“If you are planning to limit times for buyers to see your home because of your pets, you are limiting your chances for a quick and profitable sale.”
Main Key Realty can be reached at 636-208-5853.