Your pet could devalue your property by thousands: Here’s what to do
According to a report from Vet Charity, PDSA, owning a dog can cost you £25,000 over their lifetime. But this doesn’t factor in the price of damage caused – or even the decrease in your home’s value – when totalling those costs.
Olly Canver, Resident Services Manager at Essential Living, explains what you should do if you’re trying to sell your home as a dog owner.
“A home cluttered with dog toys, beds, old food bowls, dog hairs and a musty dog smell can cost you thousands in decreased property value. Luckily, there are things you can do to get your home back to its pre-pet value.”
- Get rid of the smell
“As a dog owner, we get used to the smells, and you may often be taking adorable puppy selfies on the couch, snuggling in bed, and giving your dog strong smelling treats. However, no potential buyer wants to enter your home to the heady aroma of dog. You’re probably used to the pooch perfume already, but if you’re looking to sell your home, it’s definitely time for a deep clean,” says Olly.
“Your couch, beds and carpets are an epicentre of dirt, saliva, and hair that’s causing that musty dog smell. Make sure to hoover everywhere, invest in pet-specific cleaning products, sweep and mop the floors, and open your doors and windows to get some air in.”
- Make necessary repairs
Property Reporter reported that pet owners in the UK are hit with £1.7 billion in repairs each year. Good job they’re cute, right?
“It’s easy to overlook the damage your dog causes when you feel like they’re part of the family. But, when it comes to selling your home, damages such as scratches, dug up holes in the garden, and chewed up furniture can be the first thing a potential buyer will spot,” explains Olly.
“Even the best behaved dogs can cause subtle damages, so it’s important to address the pet problems once and for all before you make your listing. It may seem like a lot of work, but this will pay off with a final sale price that meets, or exceeds, its pre-pet value.”
- Remove all evidence of your dog when staging
Olly explains: “As pet owners, we get used to chewed up toys lying around, leashes, food bowls and dog hairs everywhere. We love our dogs, so we don’t worry about it. But make sure you don’t leave pet hairs on the couch or dog beds out in the open when you’re trying to stage your home for visitors.
“Remove food bowls, toys, and treats. Potential buyers may not be pet owners, or even animal lovers, so you could be doing yourself a disservice by leaving ‘evidence’ of your furry friend”
- Remove your dog
“No, not literally,” adds Olly, “but, once you’ve finished making necessary repairs and properly staging your home, you don’t want your dog in the house, contradicting all your previous efforts. Your best bet would be to have a close friend or family member look after your dog for the day whilst you give potential buyers the tour.”
