Pet Soiling
By Mark & Annmarie Lenson
People Like Us…….People Trust Us
Put Our Experience On Your Side……..We Sold Almost 800 Homes
Pets are often so loved by their owners that pets are allowed the run of the house. At their worst, doggie and kitty mark their territory with pungent odors and unsightly stains. When you love these little furry friends, it's hard to realize how much these pets may be hurting your marketing efforts in selling your home.
IF IT SMELLS, IT WON'T SELL. Your pet may be perfectly well-mannered, but that doesn't mean your home is odor free. Homeowners are less apt to pick up smells since the homeowner lives in the house and is used to (can no longer smell) pet odors if there are any. Most pet odor comes from fur and dander. Pets (in part) mark their territory by rubbing their fur on objects. Maybe that is why your kitty rubs your ankles with her sides.
Minimize pet odors by not allowing your pets to sleep on couches and carpets. Provide them with a cuddly bed of their own and reward them whenever they use it. Deodorize often with Febreze, a product found on most grocery store shelves. Keep pets bathed and groomed more often than usual, so as not to add to existing pet odor.
STAINS DON'T HAVE TO BE PERMANENT. There are many good products to clean pet stains. Just visit your local pet store or type "pet stains" into your favorite online search engine. What you will find are companies with advice and products, such as Planet Urine. Pet stores sell a product called Nature's Miracle, which also works beautifully. Hospital supply companies are also a great source for heavy duty stain and odor control products.
VACUUM DAILY. While your home is being marketed, vacuum the carpets daily with an odor deodorizer. You can find them in the cleaning supplies section of the grocery store.
Remember to change bags more frequently than usual. Treat your home to a professional carpet cleaning. Also, open the windows and let in some fresh air. Pull back the drapes. Open vents. A closed-in home will hold odors.
KEEP PETS FROM SHOWINGS. Many buyers are suggestible. If they don't see a pet, they'll look at the home more objectively. Arrange to have your pets off the property for showings, and put their food dishes and toys out of sight. Keep cat boxes and backyard doggie droppings scooped up daily. If you have to board your pet to keep it from doing further damage or soiling new replacement fixtures, do so. You will be rewarded with a higher selling price for your home.
STAINS AND ODORS MAY HAVE TO BE DISCLOSED. In many states, stains and odors that can't be removed must be disclosed to the buyer, or you may be held liable. In Florida, if there is anything that will materially affect the value of a property, it must be disclosed. That will automatically put you in a poor bargaining position with the buyer.
If you are not sure what the extent of your pet damage is, you can purchase, rent, or borrow a hand held black light to shine on carpets and other fixtures. Some carpet cleaning kits include a black light for this purpose. Viewing your carpet this way will help you decide whether to clean or replace the carpet. Your agent will most likely advise you to replace the carpet. It will cost you much less money than a buyer's discount.
Remember to change bags more frequently than usual. Treat your home to a professional carpet cleaning. Also, open the windows and let in some fresh air. Pull back the drapes. Open vents. A closed-in home will hold odors.
KEEP PETS FROM SHOWINGS. Many buyers are suggestible. If they don't see a pet, they'll look at the home more objectively. Arrange to have your pets off the property for showings, and put their food dishes and toys out of sight. Keep cat boxes and backyard doggie droppings scooped up daily. If you have to board your pet to keep it from doing further damage or soiling new replacement fixtures,
