Your Cat May Prevent You from Moving

Cats usually don’t like to move, and will often go into hiding when their human companions are packing up the house. However, cats (and other pets) may be doing a lot more than that to keep their families from being able to sell their homes, according to the real estate pros at RE/MAX.

Pet owners need to know that, when it comes time to market their homes, animal smells and dander may complicate the process.

RE/MAX points out that pet owners get used to pet smells and don’t even notice their there. But you can be sure that prospective homebuyers will notice them – particularly those who are have allergies.

So, it’s important to take the right steps. RE/MAX advises that pet owners

“Clean the place, especially any rugs or carpeting, thoroughly before putting the home on the market, which may mean calling in professionals. And don’t forget the air vents.

Once the house is clean, keep it that way.

Pet owners often don’t notice the odors caused by their animals, so it’s best to ask your broker or friend if odors are noticeable.

If animals have urinated in the house, replace the affected carpeting or flooring, eliminating the odor at its source.

Ideally, remove pets from the home while the house is on the market. If that’s impractical, either take the pets out during showings or keep them confined in a small room or crate.”

While the cost of removing pet odors and pet damage from a home can be steep, the cost of not doing so can be even greater.

David Scott of RE/MAX Valley, Realtors, in Roscoe, Ill, estimates that for every dollar in actual repair expense to remedy pet-related damage, a typical buyer will reduce their offer by $2 to $3.

That can add up to big bucks.