The Potential Impact of Pets on Property Values
Okay, so here’s the thing. As most pet owners already know, pets are amazing. They provide fantastic benefits for mental health and really are just like a member of the family.
This is why it can sometimes be so difficult for pet owners to understand that having a pet does not improve the prospects of selling their home. After all, everybody loves their pet. However, in most cases, it is safe to assume that potential home buyers will probably be the exception. In fact, having pets in the house or even on the premises can sometimes make it impossible for sellers to command the top dollar they deserve for their real estate in Northeast Wisconsin.
Why is this? Well, there is a combination of factors that explain the reason why pets and high property values don’t always mix. Here are a few of them:
- Pets make some people uncomfortable. Many people who love animals naturally click with other people who love animals and may not realize that pets make some people feel very nervous and uncomfortable. It might be difficult to understand, but it really is often just a matter of different strokes for different folks.
- Fear and superstition. Dog attacks are incredibly rare, but at the same time, some people have a very real fear of these types of isolated incidents, which tend to be heavily sensationalized by media outlets. While housecat attacks really aren’t a thing, cats still don’t fully escape the stigma since they are often the targets of superstitions and old wives tales. People who have these types of fears may also be concerned about diseases, like rabies. Yes, most people’s pets are well-vaccinated, but fear is not always a rational thing.
- Home Buyers Don’t Know the Pet. Looking at homes for sale in North East Wisconsin, people won’t get to know a pet, and therefore, may simply assume the worst about their behavior as a matter of precaution. To be fair, most people won’t want to invest in property riddled with pet stains and scratch marks, even if these types of behavior are not at all characteristic of the pet who lives there
Given that pets cannot always translate well when trying to sell real estate in North East Wisconsin, what can pet owners do to ensure that they can still command a high property value for their home? Read on to find out.
Tips for Preparing a Home With Pets to Go on the Market
The good news is that with a little effort, pet owners can still get top dollar for their Northeast Wisconsin real estate. Here are some handy pointers for anybody who lives with pets and wants to sell their home.
- Temporarily Relocate the Pets
This one doesn’t sit well with most pet owners, but the fact is that the best strategy to ensure that pets don’t negatively affect the value of the property is to find the pets a temporary home away from home for the duration of the time that the house is on the market. This will give homeowners the time and space that they need to truly get rid of all signs that a pet lives on a property.
Anybody who is not willing to relocate the pets will have to be sure that all objects and supplies associated with the pet are removed for showings and open houses, and ideally that the pet is also completely off the property at this time. If the pet is at home, they should be kenneled and out of the way.
- Tackle the Floors
It is easy for pet owners to become accustomed to pet odors and not be able to notice if there are any, but potential buyers always will.
This is why anybody with pets who would like to sell their home should invest in professional carpet cleaning, as well as fabric cleaning for any couches or chairs that the pet may frequent. Refinishing or resurfacing should also be considered for any hard floors, especially if scratch marks are visible.
- Don’t Forget the Yard
Undetected piles of do-do generally will generally do very little to increase curb appeal, and are likely to leave a pretty bad impression etched in the minds of potential home buyers. This is why pet owners need to make an aggressive sweep of the entire outdoor area before showing the property in any capacity. Keep an eye out for stray dog bones or chew toys. Any scratch marks or holes caused by digging will need to be fully repaired, and this is why it is a good idea to not leave this one to the last minute.
If pet owners choose to keep the pet in the home during the selling process, they may want to restrict access to any outdoor areas during this time if it is all possible in order to minimize headaches and ensure that the pets don’t sneak in any new messes after the cleanup is complete.
- Remove all Visible Signs of the Pet
This includes everything from scratch marks on doors, which may have to be refinished or painted, to doggy doors, to stray pet toys, to even photos of pets. Any hair needs to be completely tackled, and professional cleaning services can help ensure that the job is done right.
The trick is to make buyers believe that a pet has never lived there at all.
- Trust the Professionals
My real estate team has tons of experience and will know exactly what needs to be done for pet owners to command a high property value.
This is why pet owners who are selling their home should always follow all the recommendations of their professional real estate agent, who is, after all, the liaison between sellers and potential buyers and has not only the experience to know what is best, but also the best big-picture understanding of the particular situation. My team is there to help homeowners get the value they deserve for their property and their advice may sometimes be hard to swallow, but it will almost always pay off in spades in the long run.