Selling a homeis hard enough , but betray a domicile when you have dearie is even more difficult . You might even be surprised to have a go at it that owning a pet can significantly reduce your home ’s economic value [ source : Tuttle ] . That ’s because when leave to their own devices , curious computed axial tomography , dogs and other dearie can cause serious terms . Although you may become habitual to – and might not even mark – the scratch line , smell and other legal injury they ’ve created , a smarthomebuyerwill look for grounds of pets on a walk through of your home .
If you want to see to it you get the highest last sale price , you ’ll have to in good order stage your domicile to make the illusion you are not a pet owner – or at least eliminate any signs that your animals were destructive . How ? By furbish up any major damage your favorite induce that will catch the eyes ( and noses ) of potential buyer . In some cases , a quick fixture will do . But larger problems may require more substantial haunt – or may need to be replaced altogether .
Even if your house is in excellent condition , and you ’ve done your best to keep it clean-living , owning favourite could take up to $ 30,000 off of its value if potential purchaser acknowledge odors or other pet issues [ rootage : Tuttle ] . If you own pet , and you ’re not sure where to begin address the damage they ’ve induce , read on for the top five pet problems that definitely postulate to be fixed before you sell your home .
5: Landscaping/Exterior Damage
The exterior of your home is the first thing potentialbuyerswill see , so it ’s the first home you should look for signs of best-loved damage . valuate the exterior of your nursing home , as well as your landscaping for job . The most obvious issue to address is holes in the one thousand from a dog that ’s been cut into . Make certain to sate any pickle – turgid or small – before you open your place to buyers . And to stop the hound from travail further , some trainer suggest filling the hole with bricks or rock’n’roll ( then handle over with dirt so they ’re not obtrusive ) . plainly , giving your dog plenty of exercise each day , and other fun chew toys , could help deter him from dig in the yard , as well [ source : Deneen ] . Another trouble to be on the scout for in the yard is damage works . Both dog-iron and cat often chew on plants and other shrubbery , so replace any sad look verdure and do n’t permit your pets near the novel ones until your house has sell .
Pets can also wreak havoc on your porch , pack of cards , fences and the exterior of your home . Inspect these structures for chewing and scratch fall guy . you could fix most of these with grit paper , wood fill or plaster , and paint or stain . If your deck or fence has a liquid brand , check that you pre - care for the expanse with a rainproof primer to seal in the stain so it does n’t reappear [ source : Kilz ] .
4: Chewing Damage
Chewing is an issue with many pets , and anything within your pet ’s grasp is an easy target . Go over your home with a fine tooth cockscomb to identify any jaw damage . take care along the floor trimming , the room access of your front and back threshold , and the corners of room access and cabinet . Also do n’t forget to check rug , window ledge and screens , especially if you have cat . Often , this kind of damage is better replace than repaired because the odor from your pets ' saliva can footle , even if you sandpaper wood damage down and animate it . Chewed or frayed carpet can in all likelihood be stretched and re - wear round by a professional , but only if the damage is along the edges ; otherwise it may have to be replaced , as well .
And do n’t miss your article of furniture . If it has evidence of chewing , you might desire to consider storing it while you ’re showing your home because to somebuyers , the mere comportment of a pet can devalue your nursing home [ sources : Evans ] . Of course , much like the excavation , you may aid forefend the chewing issue if you work out your pets adequately and keep them absorb with a variety of toys [ source : Deneen ] . This will be important to remember while you ’re designate your home .
3: Scratches
scratch are common in any habitation , but in a home with pets , there will be a draw more of them . Just check that you take notification of every in of your home . If you ’ve been subsist there a while , there ’s a good chance you ’ve develop accustomed to scratches and may not notice them any longer . If you havehardwood floors , you may want to study accept them professionally refinish , count on the amount of damage .
Also are there strike on your walls or trim ? If so , a light sanding take after by some Spackle and a clean paint task should do the trick to get those repaired . The same is true for the door and paint console . If there is significant scratching legal injury on your stained wood cabinets ( maybe on the one cabinet door where you keep the wienerwurst treats ) , you might require to interchange the room access if you could find the accurate style and color . And once again , check your piece of furniture . Buyers will notice the damage and realise you own pet , which could dissuade them frombuying your home .
2: Stains
dearie have accidents , many of which you do n’t remark until they ’ve become coiffure - in . Thesestainscan bear on your carpeting and flooring , wallboard and trim , and your furniture . It ’s of import to direct them before you name your theatre becausebuyerswill notice – and perhaps sense – the smirch immediately . If there are stains in your rug , a simple point treatment will seldom do the prank . It ’s best to substitute stained sphere with new patches of carpeting and , if necessary , rug pad . smirch on laminate or vinyl floor should be replaced , as well .
If you have soil on your walls or trim , it ’s ideal to exchange those , too . If that ’s not in your budget , you may try on the very best scent - free primer you may find . A good ground should properly seal the stain – and the pet olfactory property – and neither should return .
1: Odors
Odors are the No . 1 positron emission tomography problem that want to be fixed before you attempt to sell your home . Not only are olfactory sensation very obvious whenbuyersfirst enter your a home , they are usually very difficult to get free of . Home buyers be intimate this and could immediately rub your menage off their leaning . Although getting free of odors the right fashion might signify making an investing , the benefit and lead resale value are well deserving it .
Where do these odors populate ? Everywhere . try on to make certain you know each locating your pet had an accident . Even a leaking Pisces the Fishes tank can do an unwelcome smell . Did yourcatget queasy on the windowsill ? If so , a unproblematic paint job to cover the stain wo n’t remove the smell . You ’ll have to replace the Sir Henry Joseph Wood to completely remove it . The same is true for take aback . If your pup had an stroke on the carpet , it ’s crucial to interchange the carpet , as well as the pad below . And substantial stains can even seep into the subfloor through the carpeting pad . If you think this is the case for your home , it ’s ripe to charter a professional if the subfloor needs supplant . Otherwise , paint it with an odor - free fuze before replacing the carpet might do the trick .
scent can also live in wallboard , cut back and your article of furniture . Be certain to replace or remove these item from your home . Finally , be sure to hoover daily during the time you ’re showing your home . It ’s not just accidents that cause spoiled odors . Your pet ’s hair , dander and swither create odors as well . If you do n’t room them , or have a friend keep your pets while you ’re show up your dwelling house , it ’s important to hoover to extinguish unexampled odors from appearing .
