Your pet is your pride and joy, and is considered a member of the family. It is therefore extremely important to take precautions throughout the home-selling process to ensure that your pet remains safe and protected, and that your buyers aren’t turned off.

The number-one problem with pets when selling your Fate home is what to do with them during a showing or open house. It is important to not only consider the comfort and safety of your guests, but the comfort and safety of your pet, as well.

The following tips can help you protect your beloved pet while showing your Fate property:

• Consider a back-up location during showings and open houses. Ask a neighbor, friend or family member to take care of your pet during these times, or simply set up kennel time. Although this may not be the most ideal situation, it eliminates any problems with those buyers who may not like animals or those that are allergic to animals.
• If your pet must remain in the house during showings and open houses, put it in an area of the home where it can’t escape. A laundry room, spare bedroom or the garage are good spots to keep Fido or Fluffy, as long as you aren’t keeping potential buyers from seeing the main areas of your home.
• Post a sign on the door to the room your pet is staying in to discourage visitors from opening the door.
• Keeping your pet safely locked in a room – or keeping your pet completely out of the home during the showing or open house – will prevent your guests from tripping over your pet and becoming hurt, and will eliminate the chance of your pet escaping from open doors.
• If you can, simply take your pet with you during open houses and showings. A walk around the neighborhood or a drive around town during these times is often a convenient and practical solution.