Dogs And Real Estate - How To Make The Process Go Smoothly
Dogs And Real Estate:
How To Make The Process Go Smoothly
Photo via Pixabay by RealWorkHard
Buying and selling property can be a stressful experience; the financial aspect is a lot to consider in itself, and the timing has to be just right if you’re dealing with your former home while trying to move into a new one. When it comes to making preparations for the move itself--packing, arranging for movers, making sure the post office has your change of address, and preparing for visits from REALTORS and potential home-buyers--the process can be overwhelming.
Throwing pets into the mix can be difficult, as well, only because many pet owners consider their animals to be another member of the family and want to keep them happy and safe during such a major transition. Fortunately, there are many simple ways you can insure your dog is well taken care of before, during, and after the move. Here are some of the best.
Train your dog
Having a well-trained dog means you won’t have to suffer through the awkward jumps, barking, and sniffs when a realtor walks through the door. No one likes to come into a situation where they have to yell to be heard over the yapping of a pup, so even if he’s been trained before, it’s a good idea to go over some simple commands with your dog to make sure he’ll be on his best behavior.
Clean up
When your house goes on the market, you’ll want to make it as presentable as possible so that potential buyers can see themselves living comfortably there. It’s imperative that you clean and remove pet hair, sweep, dust, vacuum, and deodorize furniture and curtains in preparation for buyers, as one of the main reasons a client won’t go for a home is pet odor. Go from room to room and look at things from your pet’s point of view so that nothing is missed. Pro tip: you can place sheets or old blankets on any furniture your pet sits on in order to keep hair and dander off, then remove the sheets just before the appointment.
While you may think of your dog as another member of the family, it’s important to remember the many problems that could occur if your pet is home while buyers are walking through. They could have allergies or a fear of dogs, or your pet might forget his manners due to the stress of having new people in his home and nip at hands. The easiest--and safest--way to go is to have a friend take care of your dog while buyers are walking through or during open houses, or take him to a pet resort for the day. Not only will this insure everyone’s safety, it will keep buyers focused on the home and not on thoughts of potential pet damage and odors. Check out dogvacay.com to find a pet sitter near you.
Leave him at home
If you have a small dog who normally travels everywhere with you, reconsider when you’re looking for a new home. You may be tempted to bring him along to a potential new house to see how he’ll react to the space, but in the long run it’s best if you just leave him at home. This is because you never know what sort of situation you might run into during an open house or walk-through, including owners who are allergic to dogs or kids who are afraid of them. They might also have a dog of their own, which could potentially create problems. Let your pup stay home while you scout out locations and wait until you have the keys to let him explore.
Hire the right movers
Hiring the right helpers for your big day is imperative, especially if your dog is of a breed that is typically aggressive. Make sure the movers are okay with working with your pet and communicate with them about how to interact with him and whether he’ll be in a kennel or kept in one room on moving day. This is a good way to keep everyone safe and to insure your dog won’t get loose during all the commotion.
Remember that moving is a big change for most pets and can cause anxiety in some, so make sure you show him lots of love and attention during this time to cut down on his stress. Help him get acclimated to the new home by placing his food and water bowls and bedding in places that are similar to where they were in your former house.
Article provided by Medina at DogEtiquette.info
