For many pet owners, the animal is like a family member, and while dogs and cats can be wonderful companions, they can cause a few issues when you’re ready to sell your home. Puppies in particular can be tricky to work with when you’re trying to get your house ready to show to potential buyers, as they tend to be a little messy and can cause damage to areas of your home.

Most real estate agents will tell you that it’s a good idea to have any pets safely put up in a carrier or hire a pet sitter when clients come over to look at your home, but that’s only one part of the problem. You also have to ensure the yard is clean and in good shape and that any damage to carpet or furniture from tiny puppy teeth is repaired.

Ensure your home is prepared for buyers when you have a puppy by taking these necessary steps

Make temporary arrangements

Depending on how long the selling process is going to be, you may consider making temporary arrangements for your pup with a responsible family member or even relocate for a little while. You can stay with a friend in order to make sure your home stays clean and in perfect shape for open houses and client visits.

Talk to your vet

Let your veterinarian know about your plans and have a talk about what’s best for your puppy. Big changes can be stressful for everyone, including your pet, and having a lot of strangers walk through your home can be overwhelming for him. The goal is to keep everyone safe and happy.

Make repairs

Hopefully you’ll have some time before the real estate agents begin showing your home to make repairs and touch-ups. Take a walk around your home and look at everything with the eyes of someone who wants to buy it. Try to see it with a fresh viewpoint so you can suss out what needs to be fixed, cleaned or updated, such as carpeting or baseboards.

Have a backup plan

When your agent starts setting up open houses, it’s best if you vacate the home for a while and allow potential buyers to walk around freely – hopefully you’ll have some notice before this happens. However, there may be times when you can’t find a pet sitter or can’t take your puppy with you, so it’s always good to have a backup plan. Keep a leash, bottled water, treats and a water bowl in your car and take your pup on a long walk or make sure you have a kennel available to place your puppy in while buyers are walking around.

Tackle stains and odors

A strong odor is one of the top reasons a potential buyer will steer clear of a home, so go outside, take a few deep breaths and come back into your house specifically to test the smell. If there’s a pet odor, it’s time to air out your house, deep-clean the carpets, wash the curtains and clean the furniture. Look around for any stains that your pup may have left and try an oxygen-based cleanser to remove them.

Selling your home could be a lengthy process, so it’s best to have a few different plans in case things don’t go exactly as you want in the beginning. Being prepared will help ease the stress of selling a house and keep everyone happy.

If you are thinking about relocating and need help with the process, contact United Country. We have experienced agents who are located around the country and can help answer all of your home buying and selling questions. Or, if you’ve just begun looking, visit UnitedCountrySPG.com for a full listing of all of our unique property types.