If you are a pet owner, you face a different set of challenges in keeping your property in good condition and when showing your home. Pet hair and dander can often be difficult to keep under control, especially if you have more than pet in your home. Daily cleaning is often necessary to help combat these challenges. But with a little perseverance, you can keep your home looking in tip top shape while you live with your pets and while your home is on the market.
If your pet is an indoor pet, it is essential that you have a routine grooming, nail clipping and bathing program set up for them, either by way of professional grooming or at home bathing or a combination of the two. Flea and tick prevention is also a must whether your pet is an indoor OR outdoor pet. With the warmer weather vast approaching, pets will begin to shed their fur at a faster rate than normal and it is imperative that a good daily brushing help to keep their fur on the brush and not on the floors.
A daily vacuuming of all flooring will help remove pet hair and dander.
Monthly changing of air filters will also help to keep pet dander under control.
Daily cleaning of all pet litter boxes and eating areas with fresh water and food is a must.
Litter boxes should not be kept in bathrooms or bedrooms. Move all pet litter boxes to laundry areas, basement or garage areas. Invest in a covered litter box or a litter box that has its own self contained cleaning system. They are worth the investment for odor control.
Food and water containers should be washed and sterilized once a week and should be kept in the utility or laundry rooms as well. If you don't plan on keeping them in that area, at least move them prior to any showings of your home.
The same holds true for bedding. Move all bedding out of bedroom areas or kitchen areas. You may need to slowly introduce your pet to the new feeding and sleeping areas. If you don't plan on making this a permanent solution while your home is on the market, you can move them only for home showings and then move them back.
A quarterly deep cleaning of carpets and throw rugs is also essential to keeping your carpets in good condition. Prior to putting your home on the market, inspect your carpets for any excessive staining, rips, tears or anything that is outside of normal wear and tear. All carpets should be clean and odor free when your home is on the market. Replace damaged carpeting and padding if necessary. Always inspect the subflooring for damage or the need to deodorize prior to any new carpeting and padding installation. Also replace any hardwood floor areas that show excessive claw marks and/or gouges.
Keep a towel handy by the entry way to wipe off paws and keep paw prints off the floors.
If your home is on the market here are some tips that you may want to incorporate while your home is for sale:
Daily yard clean up if you have dogs is a must. Regularly fertilization and cutting will help keep your yard in tip top shape. Prior to leaving for work, clean up all evidence of dog waste. Have a proper dog waste containment system so that buyers will not be able to detect any strong odors outdoors. There are several on the market or even a mesh trash container with open ventilation, lined with a trash bag, and using pet waste disposal bags can be effective.
If you work outside the home: arrange to have a pet sitter or neighbor come and take your dog for a walk during any home showings while you are at work. Or arrange to come home during that time and walk your dog.
If you keep your pet outdoors during the day while you work, you will also want to make these arrangements as well, so that buyers can comfortably walk through your home and not worry about an anxious barking dog in the back yard. Buyers should not be greeted by a barking dog while they are viewing the yard areas.
On weekends, take the family pet for a grooming if you are having an open house or take the pet with you for an afternoon at the park. Pack water, dog bowls, toys, etc. and make it an afternoon outing. Your pets will love you for it!
Repair any areas that show evidence of pet chewing, digging or the like within or around your home.
When buyers walk in your home, they should never be able to detect that you have a cat litter box anywhere in the home. In fact, they should not notice any evidence of dogs or cats until they reach the laundry room area or some other area you have designated to keep your pets' belongings.
Pets are also more sensitive to a family move and may be more excitable during this time. Some dogs are fearful of abandonment and instinctively know a move is around the corner. Accidents, chewing, aggressive behavior can play all play a part while your home is on the market. With a little extra effort incorporated into their daily routine, you can help minimize or avoid these behaviors all together, while helping you to keep your home in good condition. Daily walking or ball throwing, will help get rid of anxiety and aggression. Fresh water and food, Nyla Bones (for chewing and stress relief) and extra attention will all help reassure your pet. Enlist the help of all family members to help your furry friend stay calm even when your not, and to ease the stress of showing your home.
Now if you could just train him to get the keys . . .
