Real Estate with Make The Move Team

to do wit h What When You’re Tr y ing To Sell Your H ome

by Beth Caudill, Owner of Make the Move Team

We all love our pets. But one question I always get asked by homeowners is this: what do I do with my dog or cat when it’s time to sell my house and get it ready for showings? This is a very good question. After all, in some situations, you aren’t anywhere near moving out yet but still need to keep your home looking pristine for potential buyers.

Keeping everything tidy can be difficult with a pet around. Not to mention, some visitors may get distracted by a really big dog or even a cute and fuzzy one when their focus should be on falling in love with your home.

Every situation is different. At a minimum, isolate and control pets for unscheduled showings with doggy crates or placing them in a specific room. For showings that are scheduled in advance, consider removing pets from your property. Here are a few solutions from your friendly, neighborhood realtor:

• Invest in a doggy daycare — There are plenty of options right here in the Lake Cities and throughout Denton. It’s only temporary.

• See if a friend or family member can watch them — Sometimes it’s easier to let them have a doggy play date next door for a few hours while the realtor showcases your beautiful home.

• Take the dog with you — If the showing is scheduled in advance, and it won’t be very long, take your pet on a walk or to a local park. Some businesses will allow smaller pets to come inside while you take care of a few errands.

Doing any of the suggestions mentioned above will not only help you keep your pet out of sight and avoid them feeling nervous with strangers around the house, but it will also aid you in repairing or cleaning up anything that your pet damaged. Buyers will be looking for a clean, organized space where they can easily imagine themselves at home. It’s important to view the home from a buyer’s perspective and focus more on what you’ve overlooked in recent years.

This includes but is not limited to: • Window screens • Doors • Furniture • Carpet • Removing pet stains, fur, and dander • Deodorize to remove pet smells and unnecessary allergens • Replacing sod/grass • Cleaning out ductwork • Sprucing up your backyard

We hope you enjoyed this article, though it’s merely just a conversation starter. If you’d like to learn more or have any questions give Make The Move Team at eXp Realty a call.

940.320.2777 | www.MakeTheMoveTeam.com | 207 W . Hickory St., STE. 106 • denton, tx 76201