So many owners have pets today. I recently read an article that said that over 75% of homeowners have some type of pet. That means dogs and cats, guinea pigs and gerbils, turtles and fish, birds and snakes.
Well, whatever type of pet you have...we can all agree that we all love our pets. After all, they're part of the family, aren't they?
But, when it comes to selling your home, buyers don't want to be reminded about your sweet little furry critter.
There is no bigger turn off when walking through the front door of a home than the "smell" of your pet.
I have seen buyers turn on their heel and walk right back out if they even catch a hint of a smelly pet.
So, sellers, be very careful that your home is deoderized and ready to "smell" BEFORE that prospective buyer walks through the front door.
...Bailey the Boxer
that for you
I went on a listing appointment last week. There was a dish of cat food in the middle of the dining room table. There would be no other way to eliminate the smell other than to rip all the carpet up and start over. I felt bad but as a higher priced home in our area, it has to be done.
Hi Tammy, Ugh! A dish of cat food on the dining room table - I'm guessing that meant that the cat gets up on the table to eat -yuck! I really don't care for that - I've seen cats on the counter while the owners prepare dinner. It's nauseating! Sometimes it is nearly impossible to get the pet smell out of some homes. I've been to a handful of them. Well, you go girl - good for you for telling them what needs to be done to get the home on the market and actually SELL IT! Some agents don't have the heart to tell the owner!
We agree with you about the animal smells. There is nothing that will turn a buyer away quicker than animal smells and cigarette smoke. We recently had a service man from Serv Pro visit our office and let us know the services they offer which included deoderizing a home from pet and smoke odors.
A saying I have used for over 20 years with sellers relating to pet odors "If A Buyer Can Smell It, We Can't Sell It". This is often a reality because buyers tend to worried how deep that smell goes. In Ohio our homes for the most part have basements and subfloors and the pet smell can get past the carpet and padding and into the actual flooring. This is a giant pain and it can be a major challenge to get the cat urine odor out.
Have to agree .. and nothing turns a buyer off more the a litter box .. ANY WHERE in the house get it out of the kitchen get it out of the master bed room get it out of site.
I've had a few listings that had pet issues. As a lot of people said above, it does turn-off a lot of buyers. Especially those with kids that have allergies. There is no good way to get rid of it, unforunately. Cigarette smoke and must are other smells that send buyers right back out the door. On the flip side, sometimes I've been in homes that had used so many plug-in air freshners that smell was just as bad.
Hi Teresa and Stacy, You're right - cigarette smells are as bad as pet smells if not worse. Good to know that you have info from Serv-Pro on what can be done to help sellers get ready for the market. Hang in there and keep up the good job!
It's really a serious problem and very hard to fix .. especially cat urine (I think that's the worst). A lot of sellers get used to the odor and don't even realize it's there.
Hi Sam, I know it's really tough when it gets in the floor. I like your saying, because it is so true...you're right we can't sell it if buyers smell it. Funny that you mentioned cat urine. I have a number of rental homes. None have wood floors though, mostly terrazzo and tile...however I do not like to rent to people with cats. I much prefer dogs. I really hesitate with cats and most often I don't take them or I charge a larger pet fee on move on. It is absolutely a NO on the couple of homes I still have with carpeting.
Great post with a smart reminder ! An even better photo !!!! Most people that have pets cannot really even smell it - they just get used to it. So it can be a difficult communication sometimes : )
Eric, I agree, I am terribly allergic to cats and cat litter boxes. I can smell a cat the minute I walk in the front door. Within minutes my eyes and neck start itching and my nose starts running. I can usually tell you exactly where the litter box is also. They're a big turn off to buyers!
Kristina, I agree, I just mentioned the allergies to Eric. Many people can't live in a house that previously has had animals or cigarettes. I also have experienced the opposite effect - the plug ins and the air fresheners. Those make my eyes and nose run also. It is a very tough situation to overcome.
Jim, I think that you're right. Some people don't even realize that the smells are there anymore, because they have grown so accustomed to them.
I've been in many homes where the clients have no idea their home smells of their pets, good, bad or otherwise. They are exposed to it all day and become immune to the smell and often become offended when I tactfuly mention it. It's a sensitive issue to address but not to saying anything could mean a house on the market for longer than necessary. It's better to speak up with general suggestions on how to neutralize a smell of the home, (avoiding the comment "Your house smells like dog.") than to make excuses as to why the home is on the market for so long.
Christopher and Stephanie, Thanks for the comment and the compliment on the pet that I love! I think you made an excellent point. It can be a rather difficult and awkward communication to an owner trying to tell them that Fido is smelling up the place. It's a tough spot to be in. But, as we all know, it absolutely has to be addressed before a home hits the market!
Hi Richard, Christopher and Stephanie had just made a similar comment as to how difficult it can be to bring an issue like this to the attention of the owner. As you mentioned, it has to be dealt with before the sign goes in the front yard. Honesty is always best in a tough situation as this. Otherwise, as you said the home will grow stale on the market for something that could have been addressed.
Absolutely right. In the "Preparing Your Home For Sale" section of my website I addressed this issue. Unfortunately most pet owners don't realize their home smells, and a few will argue the point. The sense of smell is a very powerful emotional trigger--and, properly used can aid a sale. I always recommend getting the opinion of unbiased outsiders, including the agent.
Absolutely right. In the "Preparing Your Home For Sale" section of my website I addressed this issue. Unfortunately most pet owners don't realize their home smells, and a few will argue the point. The sense of smell is a very powerful emotional trigger--and, properly used can aid a sale. I always recommend getting the opinion of unbiased outsiders, including the agent.
One of the agents I used to work with had a listing that the whole house smelled of birds and dogs. Why? Because they bred dogs and had over 50 birds in cages. The homeowner new his home would not sell, and it didn't.
The owners usually never seem to smell the animals making it more difficult for them to understand they need to do something.
Pets smells are difficult and to add to the problem the owners usually never seem to smell them.
Hi John, Good idea to have that information about smells in the preparing your home for sale section of your website. I think that pet owners do get accustomed to smells in their home, and after a while they just don't realize that they're there anymore. However, buyers immediately smell them when they pass through the front door. Have a great weekend!
Angelia, It's funny that you said that the listing agent knew that the house would not sell because of 50!!!!!!!! birds and breeding dogs, and it didn't. For me, I think I probably would not have taken the listing. That one would seem to be an exercise in futility.
Bob & Carolin, It is a very difficult situation, especially when people are so emotionally attached to their animals. Somehow they seem like they feel that it is a reflection on them if the house smells, but it really isn't. It is just something that must be addressed before the home goes on the market!
Cigarette smoke is another big turn off. Smokers are so used to the smell that they do not even know it's there. Getting out these odors can be a major task as well since they get into the walls and carpet.
Hi Bonita, I agree. I am allergic to cigarettes and the minute I walk into a home with smokers I feel it right away. It can be a big turn off for many. I recently got a rental house back from a tenant that had been with us of over 5 years. We had to literally wipe the walls down with chlorine to get the yellow off of them from the cigarette smoke, before we could start painting. Luckily there's no carpeting. With a fresh coat of paint there's no lingering smells. Thanks for the comment!