How to Stage Your Home for Sale When You Have Pets

Photo via Pixabay by HobokenHome7

Staging a home for sale can be a difficult and stressful job. Not only do you want to make sure you make your house look as appealing as possible, but it’s also important to secure a quick sale so it doesn’t linger on the market. When you have a pet, it’s absolutely essential to make sure there are no stains, odors, or signs of damage in your home. There are several ways you can go about this, so it’s imperative to have a good plan before you get started. Do some research on cleaning costs, and make a list of all the things that need to be done so you can go room-to-room.

"My advice to pet owners is to have someone unrelated walk through the house and look for anything a potential buyer might point out – odors; kitty litter in places you wouldn't think to look; marks on walls, woodwork and doors; peeling laminate; buckled moldings. When you live with it every day, you stop noticing small problems or even big ones,” says veterinarian Judy Morgan.

While it’s okay to disclose to potential buyers that you have a pet-friendly home, it’s a good idea not to make it the first thing they notice when they walk in. Highlight the best parts of your home so you’ll get the maximum price and a quick sale.

Keep reading for some great tips on how to stage your home when you have pets.

Do a Deep Clean

Deep cleaning your home is an essential part of staging. It’s more than just dusting and vacuuming; you should also consider having the carpets and upholstery cleaned (carpet cleaners usually charge anywhere from $25 to $70 per room) to remove any stains or odors. Be sure to include this in your budget when planning for your staging, as the average price to bring in a cleaning service in Moline, IL, is between $120 and $170.

Rearrange the Furniture

The way the furniture is placed in your home can have a big effect on the aesthetic appeal in each room, so take a good look to see how you might change things up in order to highlight the best parts of your home. For instance, if you have a great fireplace, you might move things around to make it the centerpiece of the living room. This is a great way to see your furniture in a new light and check it for wear-and-tear or pet damage.

It’s also not a bad idea to remove at least one piece of furniture completely from each room in order to make it look bigger. This is a common idea used by professional home-stagers and can help a buyer see the potential in a room.

Declutter

Most homes have a little clutter, from countertops full of appliances to a stack of magazines in the bathroom. It’s important to remove clutter before putting your home on the market, so look for overly personal items -- such as pet beds and dishes or family photos -- that can be removed so the buyer can really see themselves living there.

Consider Giving Your Pet a Vacation

It can be hard to think about sending your pet away even for a day or two, but in some cases, not having him in the house while it’s on the market is the best thing. Not only does it allow buyers who have allergies to pet fur and dander to come in without having a reaction, it will also keep your pet safe and comfortable while all the activity is going on. You can expect to pay between $25 and $45 per night to board you pet at a kennel.

Staging your home to sell when you have pets doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. Start in one room and move on from there so that nothing gets overlooked, and don’t forget to show your pet lots of love during this time. Change can cause anxiety in pets, especially when it involves a move, so make him comfortable and give him plenty of attention.