Paws and Properties: A Tale of Selling your home with a Furry Family Member

Once upon a time, in a cozy neighborhood in Edmonds, there lived a cheerful Golden Retriever named Zeke and his loving family. Their house, a charming three story townhome filled with warmth and memories, had been Zeke's kingdom since he was a puppy. However, a new chapter beckoned as the family decided to move to be closer to family, necessitating the sale of their beloved home.

As passionate real estate agents and avid animal lovers, we know the complexities involved in selling homes that come with furry, scaly, or finned residents. Whether it's cats, dogs, hamsters, snakes (yes, even snakes!), or fish, we've successfully navigated these unique situations.The majority of home buyers and sellers are pet owners, but surprisingly, a sign of a pet living in the home is not a selling point. Sixty percent of sellers are people with pets, with 49 percent owning dogs, 33 percent owning cats, and 12 percent owning other pets. 

So how did we handle our latest endeavor, successfully selling a property that included a delightful dog named Zeke? Stay with us to hear all about Zeke's journey and we we will offer some insightful advice and tips for pet owners navigating similar challenges in the real estate market.

Chapter 1: Preparing the Stage: Our journey began with preparing the house for sale. Zeke, with his keen sense of curiosity, watched as we decluttered and depersonalized each room. He even helped carry a few things, but then decided a nap was a better use of his time.  For pet owners, this step is crucial. Remove pet paraphernalia – like toys, beds, and feeding bowls – during showings to help potential buyers envision themselves in the space. Zeke's family also did a deep cleaning to eliminate any pet odors or fur. If you know that your pet sheds quite a bit you may need to swift the floors more often than usual, it may seem like a lot, but remember this stage of selling your home, though temporarily disruptive, is not permanent. Keeping your home in top shape and without pets in the house allows real estate agents to better showcase it to potential buyers. This helps them imagine the space as their future home, potentially leading to a quicker sale.

Chapter 2: The Art of First Impressions: Zeke, being a sociable dog, was always eager to greet visitors. However, not all buyers are pet enthusiasts. We decided it was best for Zeke to have playdates or stay with a neighbors during showings. This strategy not only kept Zeke stress-free, not having to protect the house from strangers, but also avoided any distractions for buyers. We also did this for the open house we scheduled, because with so many people that came through the open house it would have put undue stress on him to figure out who he wanted to play with. Remember, some people may have allergies or fears, so it's best to keep pets away during showings.

Chapter 3: Highlighting the Positives: Zeke's home had many pet-friendly features, like a fenced yard and easy-to-clean flooring. As the realtors, we highlighted these aspects in the listing. You may also think about adding pet-friendly plants in your landscaping, or if you have them highlighting them and creating a designated area for pets.  Emphasizing such features can be a selling point for buyers with pets.

Chapter 4: Picture-Perfect Marketing: While Zeke is a superstar in his own right, we chose to keep him out of the listing photos. The focus should be on the house, not its furry inhabitants. Make sure your listing photos are pet-free and showcase the best aspects of your property. You may also want to not display any photos of the animals in the home for the duration of the listing. Also if you know there may be ripped window screens, chew marks, or torn up lawns, make sure you take care of that before the pictures are taken. After all, these photos will be used everywhere, including your MLS listing, Zillow, and flyers around the neighborhood.

Chapter 5: Don't Forget the Outside: It may seem self evident, but during our home showings, we often find ourselves navigating through dog waste while examining the backyard. For potential buyers to fully appreciate and focus on the yard's features, it's crucial that their attention isn't divided by having to watch their step. Therefore, maintaining a clean yard, free from any 'land mines' such as dog poop and scattered dog toys, can significantly enhance the appeal and presentation of your property.

Chapter 6: Navigating Offers and Closing: When offers started coming in, Zeke's family was prepared. They had already planned for Zeke's accommodation during the move and closing process. As a pet owner, it's essential to consider your pet's needs during this transition period. Some of our pet's can handle the move really easily and others stress beacuse they aren't sure what this all means and are they coming with the rest of the family to the new home. If you are driving to your next home here is one suggestion that might help. Have all your pet’s necessities packed and on hand. Water bowls, favorite toys, a blanket, food, treats, kitty litter, etc., are a good start.If they are really nervous maybe some paper towels and ziplocs to help if there is an accident along the way. This way they feel like they have their own space in the car.

Epilogue: A New Beginning: As Zeke and his family embarked on their new adventure, their old home found new owners – a charming woman  who loved the pet-friendly aspects of the house, and had a dog herself. It was a happy ending for everyone involved.

For pet owners looking to sell, remember: Preparation, consideration for non-pet owners, and focusing on the strengths of your property are key. With these tips, you can make the selling process as smooth as possible, for both you and your furry friend.

And as for Zeke, he found new corners to explore in Northern Idaho where he now has a sister, Grace that he can play in the snow with and she can bug him till he barks at her. He also has new cousins with Clark, Riley, Louise and of course Loki. Zeke carrys the love and memories of his first home in his heart while he  enjoys his new home. He finds the 4 seasons a lot more fun. If you are thinking of selling your home and need a real estate agent used to animals in the home. Give us a shout out, we would be happy to help you expedite this change in your life.

The End.