Selling a home is not an easy task. Beyond the mountains of paperwork and visits from agents and strangers, you may also need to schedule repairs, refresh the landscaping or order a paint job. When you’re trying to be financially savvy or even just manage your costs, read head. If you are a dog owner, it can add another layer of stress to the process of selling your home. Here are the five most important things you need to do to prepare your home for an inspection.
1. Assess and Repair Any Damage Caused by Pets
Whether you’ve had a dog for many years or recently got a frisky puppy, chances are that your home could use a few repairs. The last thing you want is the surprise of unknown issues arising when a buyer schedules a home inspection. As soon as you decide to sell your home, you should make a plan to fix any damage in and around your property. Fill in the holes that your dog dug in the backyard and replace carpets or flooring where appropriate. While you can leave repairs for later, it may affect the sales proceedings or make the process more stressful in the long run.
2. Inform Agents and Potential Buyers
There is no reason to hide the fact that you are a dog owner. When speaking with real estate agents and then potential buyers, be honest and upfront about the fact that dogs have lived in the home. You can also let them know the steps you plan to take before selling, including deep cleaning the carpets, replacing curtains or blinds, removing dog doors and more. In the event that a possible buyer is allergic to dogs, it is important that they know you had pets in the home. It may mean that you will have to work even harder to clean your home, but you might get a quick sale nonetheless.
3. Get Rid of Pet Hair
People who love dogs tend to become used to at least a small amount of pet hair in the home at all times. It may feel like no matter how often you clean, there is always more hair. Yet, if you want to make a good impression on the inspector and buyer, it is worth it to put in the extra time and effort. You don’t know if the next person who lives in your home is going to be a dog parent. They may recoil at the sight of pet hair gathered in corners and behind sofas. When the day of the inspection is right around the corner, set aside the time you need to clean up the dog hair around your home.
4. Prepare for Requests
When you think you’ve done everything right, made every repair and update to your home, a buyer may make a request that surprises you. As a dog parent, be ready to expect the unexpected. The potential buyer of your home may ask you to make a change or repair that seems unimportant to you. The fact that dogs, cats or any other pet have lived on the property may affect the kinds of repair requests you receive.
5. Make a Plan for Inspection Day
When you are selling your home, you have to leave the property during the inspection. Your pets may get in the way of the inspection process if they remain behind on the property. Also, dogs can experience high stress in kennels or when tied to leashes. It’s best to make a plan for the day of the inspection that includes your pets. You can go for a long walk in the park or a drive around the neighborhood. If you are not available to care for your pets, make sure to book a daycare or dog sitter.
Preparing to sell your home can be emotional. Homes are full of precious memories and mementos that are not easy to leave behind. If you’re a dog owner, you can make the process a little bit easier by following these steps to ensure a smooth inspection of your home.
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