Pet Odors

Be careful of odors in your home. If your family room smells stale or your cat or dog has left a distinctive odor in the hallway, the important thing is to remove the root cause of the odor rather than to merely treat the symptoms. Smells have a powerful effect on the way people react to a house, and no amount of room freshener or vanilla on the light bulbs can mask a serious odor problem. In fact, such remedies may draw attention to the problem. Homes with an odor problem can often sit on the market for months or sell for thousands of dollars less than comparable homes in the neighborhood.
Your dog or cat can pose a problem when your property is listed for sale. Even if prospective buyers have pets of their own that smell just like yours, they may be repelled by animal odors. If you have a pet odor problem, you should remove the offending furniture or carpets or hire a professional to clean them. Check the cat box frequently and keep the litter fresh. Some people have allergies or irrational fears of certain animals, so it is a good idea to put dogs or cats outside or confine them to one area when your house is being shown. It is hard for buyers to appreciate your home through puffy, watery eyes or inbetween sneezes!
Even if the house is exactly what they want, your chances of selling it are less if the buyers are afraid of being eaten by Fido. If you think that your home may have an odor problem, talk candidly with your Realtor. Your agent should be able to offer some constructive suggestions, and perhaps refer you to a professional who can help banish stubborn odors from your home.