Man's Best Friend... Not So Much

When showing a home, it's best to keep the potential buyer on the property as long as possible. The longer the buyer is in the house, the more likely they are to consider making it their home. If the seller is a pet owner, this can set up some unique hurdles for the agent showing the home. Access to the house, the potential buyer's attitude towards pets, and the signs of pets living in the home are just such hurdles.

The seller will need time to make arrangements to either remove the pets from the home, the ideal solution, or shut them up in the laundry room or in the backyard. Either way, it becomes more of an appointment to show the home; or, if the pet is hidden away in the laundry room or backyard, this cuts the showing time and showing key features of the home. If the potential buyer's attitude towards pets is not a positive one, they may feel uncomfortable with the pet present, even if it is in the backyard.

A clean home is best when showing to buyers, even the hint of pet smell can bring on second thoughts. This can also lead to thoughts of hidden problems in the home that may not exist.

What can be done? Get some reactions from non-pet owners. How would they handle seeing a pet in the home? See if they can detect any pet odors. Set up a plan beforehand with the seller to deal with the pet. It's all about making the home showing a better experience for the potential buyer. Some pets can even be a plus to show a buyer, fish and fish tanks can be considered colorful and exotic.