Staging for Pet Owning Sellers: BIRDS, REPTILES, SMALL ANIMALS

 Staging for Pet Owning Sellers

Part 3 – Birds, Reptiles and Other Small Animals

GET OUT THE VACUUM!

Vacuum every day! If you have birds, make sure the bird seed has been cleaned out of cracks and crevices on the floors and surfaces around the bird cages.  Surprisingly birds can be very messy. Their downy feathers can stick in all kinds of visible nooks and crannies.  If you have rodents, bedding material and food can often be found around the cages.  Be sure this is cleaned up.

ELIMINATING AND AVOIDING PET ODORS AND WASTE!

Bird cages can be a source of odor.  Make sure that the cage and the surrounding area are clean.  Carpeting can harbor odors so if possible bird or rodent cages should not hang over carpet, they should be in a location that the floor around and under can be disinfected.  Any bedding materials used should be replaced frequently.  Fish and reptile tanks should be have clean water and free from waste.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR SMALL ANIMALS WHEN SHOWING YOUR HOUSE!

Use a cage cover for your small pets that are acceptable to cover.  Don’t feed or leave “live” food in with your pet during a showing, prospective buyers may find this offensive.  Last, when you leave for a showing, your pet should give the impression that you take good care of it.  If buyers don’t think you take care of your pet why would they think you have taken care of your house?

MARKET YOUR HOME TO OTHER PET LOVERS!

If there is no good solution for the seller and their pet then perhaps the best piece of advice would be to sell your home to another pet owner. Instead of trying to hide all evidence of pets, promote the fact that your home is “pet-friendly.” Work with your real estate agent to market your home to other pet lovers. Advertise your home in Humane Society and local animal shelter newsletters, on animal lovers’ websites and discussion groups. If you volunteer at a local shelter do some old-fashioned, promoting of your home.

With a little bit of planning, you can sell your home, even if you have pets. There are plenty of options for keeping your pets safe during showings, and with a bit more elbow grease, potential buyers don’t have to be hit at the door with their presence. Get creative and your home still has a great chance of selling quickly.