Thinking of selling your home? If you own pets, these tips from Rebecca Harris will help increase the selling potential of your property.
Move pets out
Animals can be seen as a distraction during open home inspections, so make arrangements to move pets off the property. Neighbours, friends or family members might be prepared to mind your pets for a few hours. Avoid stressing your pets with long car trips (birds in particular do not travel well in cars).
Clean up
Thoroughly clean areas that collect fur and animal debris, such as lounges, beds, mats and areas where the pets sleep. Use lint brushes and vacuum to remove the hair, and if it’s practical, steam clean to remove odours. If your pet is moulting during inspections, brush it outside every day (consider having the animal clipped and professionally groomed). Bird cages and surrounds should be cleaned and preferably removed during inspections. Many home owners allow their birds to fly free in the house. Check areas where birds perch and remove small droppings. Also clean up any feathers dropped by preening birds. To a potential home buyer, captive rodents mean possible loose rodents. Move pet rodents, their food and items away from the home during inspections. A fish tank or bowl can add some visual theatre to the house, but it must be kept clean.
Hide the evidence
As well as moving your pets, remove all evidence of pets. Store pet toys, bedding, scratching poles, food and fresh kitty litter in a suitable, discreet area. In the garden, remove droppings and fill in any holes dug by your pet. Remove bones and other pet treats. If you have a cat, look for evidence of partly eaten birds, natives or rodents. Treat flea infestations or better still, use a good quality flea preventative before problems occur. Repair or conceal areas where pets have left unsightly stains or marks. Cats can scratch furniture, carpets, curtains and soft furnishings. Dogs can chew legs of tables and chairs and door frames, and scratch glass panels on doors. Both cats and dogs can leave urine stains on carpets. If you can’t repair the damage or lift unsightly stains, use a few ‘dirty tricks’ and cover with a piece of furniture.
Eliminate odours
Even though you may have become accustomed to pet odours in your home and not notice them, home buyers will notice them straight away. Ask a friend to tell you if they can smell pets in your home, and ask them to be honest. If the answer is yes, take steps to remove the odours.
Kitty litter and your pets’s bedding are major sources of pet smells. Wash the bedding and clean out the litter tray. Shampoo the carpets to extract animal smells, and ventilate the house by opening windows and doors before inspections.
Use good quality potpourri and concentrated fragrant oils. Don’t use cheap deodorising agents like aerosol air fresheners or deodorisers. Go for natural ingredients, such as a large bowl of fresh lemons, or make a pomander (see below).
Make a pomander
Pomanders were once made of ambergris, a fragrant substance obtained from sperm whales. These ‘apples of amber’ were worn to protect against infection and foul smells. Today, pomanders are used as sweet smelling ornaments, and they’re great for disguising pet odours.
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