Six Ways to Stage Your Home as a Pet Owner

Staging is arguably one of the best things you can do for an open house. Real estate agents across the country recommend doing so. It can, however, become troublesome if you have a pet. From the wear and tear they cause to potential buyers disliking animals, they can pose issues when trying to sell your home. Here are some precautions you can take to show your home in the best light possible.

Create “Curb Appeal”

The first thing a potential buyer attending your open house will see is the outside of your home, so don’t ignore it. There are many ways you can make the exterior of your home pop. Make sure your lawn is trimmed, and add some color by planting flowers, either in the ground or in pots. Color can make your home look cheerful and inviting without committing to a paint that some may not like. Retouch the trim on your home to make it look new and fresh.

Bring Light

When looking for a home, no one is looking for a dark, cave-like interior. By bringing light to your rooms, you can create the illusion of additional space, but also make your home seem cheerful, clean and welcoming. Open the curtains on the day of the event, and make sure you have added lamps or lighting fixtures to any area that needs it. Beforehand, go through room by room to see where you need to add light. Bright fixtures can help as well, so make sure the blankets on beds, and any rugs, are light-colored to help reflect light.

Open Your Space

Even if you have a large house with an open floor plan, it can seem cramped if there are too many things lying around. It is in your best interest to declutter. While it is most important to focus on the main living spaces, people will go through your storage areas. They will look in closets, garages, and cupboards, so lighten the load where you can and make sure your items are organized. Clean off your kitchen countertops to further the illusion of space.

Deep Clean

As a pet owner, you will need to clean more than a non-pet household. Baking soda can help remove pet smells, and make sure you vacuum to get all the pet hair you can, including on drapes and curtains. If smells persist, invest in a good carpet cleaner that targets pet urine, as that can have the most lasting smell. Non-toxic potted plants can help to filter air, so consider adding a few around the home at least two weeks in advance.

Create an Ambiance

Make your home as appealing as possible. You can add to the allure by baking the morning of to fill your home with the scent of fresh baked goods. Having something to snack on can improve the moods of your guests as well. Use accent pieces with warm colors to make your rooms feel inviting and comforting, but keep the walls neutral. Try to add to the welcoming appeal by removing personal effects as well. You want visitors to feel as if they are seeing theirnew home, not yours.

Hide the Evidence

Even seeing evidence of a pet may turn off a potential buyer, so be prepared to hide your pet and their things. This includes food and water bowls, toys or cat trees, doggie bags or litter boxes, and the food itself, as people will go through your cupboards and possibly fridge. Keep any toys out of sight as well, even if they are usually kept out in the yard. Do your utmost to get your pet out of the house during the event by boarding them or having a friend take them for the day.

We love our pets. That is part of being a good pet owner. Unfortunately, not everyone is enamored with animals. They can cause micro-damage that we might overlook, but a buyer won’t. That is why you need to put a little extra elbow grease into preparing your home. With the right tools, you can hold a successful open house and sell your home more efficiently.

Image Courtesy of Pixabay.com