They’re a part of our family, our best friends and our dearest companions…yes that’s right I am talking about our pets. Yet did you know that when selling your home, (as much as we would all hate to admit it) pets can actually hinder rather than help your property sale? As a property photographer in Bishop’s Stortford, I’ve seen plenty of examples of how pets can put off a potential buyer. We may love our pets but unfortunately not all buyers do! Allergies, phobias and general dislike of animals are something we come across every single day.
But do not fear – here are my top tips to make sure that your pets don’t sabotage your next sale:
Smells sell
Even if you can’t notice it, quite often someone who isn’t used to animals can smell your pets as soon as they walk through the front door. As an animal lover it’s not something that bothers me, but it might be enough to put a potential buyer off. Well in advance of your viewings, open up all the windows in the house to let in some fresh air – don’t try and mask smells with air fresheners and plug ins as the artificial smell can be overpowering and sickly. Simply use the power of fresh air to keep your home smelling fresh and clean and remove those pet smells. You could use some gentle scents but choose carefully. I particularly like Scentsy products, I find they’re delicate and don’t smell too artificial.
Fix pet related damage
Scratched floors, chewed furniture, and mysterious carpet stains…sound familiar? As much as we try, most pets will cause some damage to our homes. Before you even consider having your property photographer round to take photos of your property, get those little things repaired. Buyers are a picky bunch of people and can be put off by the slightest thing – so make your home look like it’s worth every penny of your asking price and fix any damage your pet might have caused. You never know, you might even get more than you were hoping for!
Take them out of the house
During viewings the best thing to do is make sure your pets are out of the house. Get someone to take the dog for a walk or put the cat in the garden – it’ll pay dividends later. Many buyers are afraid of animals and so won’t feel comfortable viewing your property if there are animals around. Not to mention, you want a calm, relaxing environment for them to view and a dog barking or trying to lick or jump up is certainly not ideal. Remember to make sure they’re out of the way for photos too as a cat sleeping on a bed is a real giveaway in one of your photos! I am good at using Photoshop myself, but it’s easier if it’s not there in the first place.
Remove all evidence of pets
This includes bowls, leads, beds, litter trays and any other pet paraphernalia. Simply put them away somewhere for viewings, perhaps in your garage or shed if you have one as otherwise it’s a sure sign you’ve got pets and may ring alarm bells for a potential buyer. If buyers have allergies or aren’t keen on living somewhere there’s been pets before, then seeing pet related items could put them off. Instead, make your home “pet neutral” so it appeals to both those who do and don’t like animals.
Remember the garden
Clear away toys, clean up dog mess and tidy your outside space as much as your inside space. Gardens are a big selling point for potential buyers so make sure you don’t forget your outside space. Buyers love to see a clean, tidy garden that looks low maintenance so consider putting some time in to get it looking spic and span before your property photographer takes your photos.
There you have it, those are my top tips for making sure your pets don’t sabotage your home sale. As a property photographer in Bishop’s Stortford, I say day in day out how much the presentation of your property has a part to play in achieving the best possible price, in the shortest possible time frame – so preparing your home for sale will truly pay off later down the line.
Need help selling your home?
I specialise in photographing properties for sale. If your home isn’t selling then it could well be the photos that are hindering your progress. For professional property photographs then get in touch. I can cover any area (mileage fee may apply) – within reason!
What to read next? “7 ways to achieve the best price when you sell”
