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Don't Be a Grumpy Cat! Tips for Selling Your Home When You Have Cats

Don't Be a Grumpy Cat! Tips for Selling Your Home When You Have Cats

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June is Adopt-A-Cat Month, so now is a great time to rescue a furry feline friend. However, if you are considering adopting a cat or you already have one and you also happen to be selling your home, you may have some reservations about what to do with your purr-fect pets when you’re showing your home to prospective buyers.

Admittedly, it can be tricky to keep pets and prospective home buyers happy at the same time; but, it is possible! If you’re “feline” some anxiety about selling a home when you have a cat, here are some ways to make sure that prospective home buyers find your home to be the cat’s meow!

Relocate the Litter Box

Pet lover or not, kitty litter is probably at the top of every prospective buyer’s list of things they don’t want to see or smell in a home they are considering. Since it is a must-have for cat owners, basements, mud rooms and garages are probably the best places to keep the litter box while showing a home. But, that’s not quite enough. While you’re showing your home, you’ve got to be sure to scoop Kitty’s buried treasure frequently, especially right before showings whenever possible. Moving the litter box and keeping it debris-free are great ways to downplay its existence during showings.

Remove Cat Hair

Another sure sign that a home has furry family members is the hair that they are bound to leave behind. Not only do you not want your prospective home buyers to leave your home covered in Fluffy’s fur, but you also don’t want your home to appear dingy or dirty due to an extra layer of “carpeting.” To help keep cat hair under-wraps, try to sweep, Swiffer and wipe down your floors and furniture before each showing.

Stow Away Toys

We know that your little tiger loves his scratching post and mousy toys and they may very well be adorable; but, they won’t look so cute to prospective buyers. Unfortunately, Fluffy’s favorite things may make your home look cluttered or unkempt. While your home is on the market, keep Fluffy’s toys easily accessible, but neatly stowed away.

Clean Up the Dishes

This advice goes for anyone with a pet. Food and water are staples of your pet’s health and well-being, but they just aren’t the best home décor when your house is on the market. Frankly, you may be used to the scent of your cat’s favorite food, but it could be a major turn-off for a prospective buyer. Whenever you’re able to, clean up your kitty’s food and water dishes before buyers tour through your home.

Take Fluffy with You!

So, we’ve addressed many of the aspects that go along with owning a cat, but what should you do with your feline family member during showings? After all, many cats may steer clear of newcomers in your home; so, why do anything at all? Because pets are unpredictable at times, it is best to keep your cats in a pet carrier or take them with you when you leave your home for a showing. Sure, they may cozy right up to a prospective buyer; but, if that buyer is not a cat lover of if they have allergies, the sight of Fluffy may cause them to cozy up to another home option. You, your cat and your prospective buyer may all be happier if Fluffy doesn’t make any surprise appearances while your home is on the market.

It is said that cats have nine lives, but sellers often only have one chance to make a first impression on home buyers. So, if you’ve got cats at home or if you’re considering rescuing one during Adopt-A-Cat Month, it is important to consider the way your furry friend and their favorite things may affect your home sale.

For advice on how to handle your pets during your home sale, contact an experienced professional at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty today.