The #1 Mistake Realtors Are Begging Dog Parents to Stop Making When Selling a Home with a Pup

Selling a home can be complicated enough as it is, but adding a dog to the equation can be even more stressful. Fortunately, realtors can take a lot of the weight off your shoulders! However, it's still up to you to prepare your home to be sold. This can be easier said than done with a four-legged friend around, but you can make things easier by staying one step ahead.

The realty experts at Palm Paradise Realty Group have identified one big mistake among pet owners selling their homes. By staying aware and avoiding this crucial faux pas, anyone can be one step closer to moving into their dream home.

The #1 Mistake: Not Keeping Your House Viewing Ready

In order to sell your current home, prospective buyers will need to come visit. First impressions can be everything, but convincing someone to purchase requires a lot more than potential. That's why many realtors try to stage the homes they show with cute furniture and home accessories, but that can be next to impossible when you're still living in your current home with your dog.

Related: Dachshund's Realization That He's Moved Out of His First Home Is Absolutely Heartbreaking

Fortunately, the experts at Palm Paradise Realty Group have compiled five essential ways dog owners can keep their homes spic and span while selling. With these tips, your next open house will be a breeze!

1. Spot cleaning: Staying on top of messes and accidents is always important, but it's extra essential when prospective buyers will be visiting your home. This is a great time to invest in a top-notch carpet cleaner for any messes that baking soda and cleaning foam can't handle. In a pinch, try renting a carpet cleaner a few days before your open house to ensure everything looks fresh and clean.

2. Manage pet hair: Shedding dogs can be especially tricky to handle during the home-selling process, which is why you should begin managing pet hair as early as you can. A vacuum meant for dog fur will be your best friend, while small tools like lint rollers and hand vacuums can help with spot cleaning before your next open house.

3. Grooming: Whether your dog sheds all over or requires regular haircuts, you should plan your pup's grooming sessions just before the open house. This can minimize hair loss and keep your house looking nice and clean.

4. Wash your bedding: Dog odors can be hard to detect when you've been living with your furry friend for so long, but you can reduce any pet smells by washing the fabric surfaces in your home. Bedding can be especially prone to carrying smells, so wash your dog's bed, toys, and even your own bedding shortly before an open house.

5. Overdo odor control: Bedding isn't the only place dog odors can hide, so it never hurts to take extra precautions. Palm Paradise Realty Group recommends springing baking soda on surfaces before vacuuming or using a diluted essential oil for a fresh smell in your home. Be sure to use a pet-safe essential oil or fragrance if your furry friend is still home for the open house.

It's important to keep your home looking, smelling, and feeling accessible to buyers, and following these tips can be a great way to do it. As Palm Paradise Realty Group explains, "Doing these [...] can make all the difference to a sale – more so if your potential buyers are not dog owners. They may be looking for a house that bears as little evidence of previous pet residency as possible. If your house viewers do have pets, they may be looking for a property that is similarly cleansed of previous dog occupancy." That is to say--keeping your home clean is a win-win!

You may not be able to avoid every stressor of selling your home, but with a little planning, you can ensure that your home stays clean and viewing-ready. Before you know it, you'll be signing off on the deal!

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