Are you hoping to sell your home? Christina Collison has some advice on ensuring your pets aren’t a distraction to potential buyers and won’t deter them from making an offer.
Some years ago, my partner and I decided to move house. We knew it was time for more space and wanted to find somewhere that was quieter, away from the busy traffic at the bottom of our road.
Once we’d chosen the estate agent we wanted to use, my partner insisted on taking photos of our home as he was a professional photographer. He did a great job of making our home look pretty smart. There was just one thing he didn’t like about the photos: in one picture, our cat was asleep on the bed.
I didn’t think it was an issue, and frankly, I felt he should have ejected the cat from the bed when taking the photo! But he insisted the cat should not appear in the image, so he Photoshopped our friendly feline out of the picture. Did he do the right thing? Would it put you off when viewing a home if you knew that the household had pets and said pets were sleeping on beds and climbing on furniture?
According to a survey conducted by ScS Carpets in 2018, owning a cat or a dog could affect the sale of your home. In the survey, pets were named as a turn-off for prospective buyers. While I can see that some people might be put off if they’re not pet lovers, those who are might not mind one bit, surely?
Real Opinions from Prospective Buyers
We asked a few friends and clients whether they would be put off buying a home with pets. Here’s what they said…
Prospective Buyer 1:
‘I like pets, and I can’t imagine the presence of one would put me off buying a property I really liked. But it would depend on the property and the pet. It might not be a big deal if the property is a doer-upper. I might have doubts if the pet was disruptive or causing damage or seemed aggressive and the owners were oblivious. But I’d be more likely to fuss over a pet if it was friendly!’
Prospective Buyer 2:
‘I’m sure pets wouldn’t put me off unless there had been a case of cat-hoarding or something! I have often viewed flats for a friend who lives outside London to see if they’re suitable, and have occasionally been a bit distracted if there are friendly cats!’
Prospective Buyer 3:
‘It would definitely put me off if a dog kept barking, jumping up, or sniffing around me while I was trying to view. A distraction like that could potentially cost the seller a sale; much as I love pets, it would be difficult to make a decision if the environment was too boisterous.’
Prospective Buyer 4:
On the other hand, another client secured the flat she wanted due to a competing buyer having their own pets. ‘I was able to buy my flat by default because someone who had a prior offer on it had given their existing property to the same agent to sell. Unfortunately, they had two German Shepherds who were not house-trained, and the agent told me the smell put off anyone who walked in the door before they even looked at the flat. The agent couldn’t see how they would ever sell it and accepted my offer instead!’
Tips for Pet Owners Preparing for Viewings
If you’re about to put your home on the market, ensure you’re prepared for viewings. Here are some tips to ensure your pets don’t become a distraction:
- Tuck Away Boisterous Pets: If you have a lively pet that is likely to distract anyone viewing the property, make sure they are tucked away somewhere where they can’t cause too much disruption. If you have a dog, get someone else to take them out for a walk while the viewing takes place.
- Hide Pet Items: If you have a cat, move the litter tray and get rid of cat beds, bowls and toys while the viewing is taking place. If you have a dog, hide the dog bed and food bowls.
- Eliminate Odours: Make sure the house smells fresh, and there’s no aroma of pet food or, even worse, cat or dog poo!
By taking these steps, you can ensure that your potential buyers focus on your home’s features and not on the presence of your pets.