Realty Executives Integrity
835638-91
Making your home more pet friendly isn’t just good for the canine or feline members of your family. It can actually be a boon to your home when it comes time to sell. According to the American Pet Products Association, more than 79 million homes in the U.S.sport a pet, and that number is growing. For those in the real estate industry, that marks a shift in the way pets are viewed. For homeowners, it means you can go ahead and splurge on ways to make your pet more comfortable around the house. Showing off your pet knowledge when a prospective buyer comes to tour your home and is impressed with the doggy door located in just the right spot or that you know of a local pet business that actually has a kitty day care can go a long way to getting the best offers.
Door Decor For Your Fur Friends
The key to pet-friendly decor is to pet-proof your furniture. Darker-colored fabrics are better to withstand dirty paws from your Pekingese coming in and out of the backyard. If you’ve got a sofa in need of reupholstering, consider a beautiful indoor-outdoor fabric that’s built to withstand the elements, so it’s sure to withstand your Egyptian Mau. Even just a protective coating on an old loveseat can help your furniture last while still allowing your pets indoors. Also, try to steer clear of fabrics that mimic sticks or scratching posts; metal legs can ensure a long life for your decor.
Four-Legged Friendly Flooring
It goes without saying — especially if you’ve got a puppy or kitten on your hands — that easily-cleaned floors are best for helping to keep your home tidy while allowing your pets to feel welcome. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) suggests durable woods like maple, oak and mahogany to give your home the elegance and ease of hardwood. However, if you’re worried about them scratching up even a laminate hardwood, try a non-porous tile like travertine or marble.
Cleanliness and Accessibility
Another tip from NAR is to install a pet wash-up station. It works much like an outdoor shower for when you get out of the pool or a doormat for when you come into the front of your home. You can use it to rinse your Welsh Corgi before coming back into the house or let your Lynx give itself a bath, if it likes to venture outside.
For more tips on how to make your home especially friendly when it comes time to sell, check out Realtor Magazine‘s 4 Steps to a Pet-Friendly House.
Realty Executives agents are real estate experts. They have the education and expertise you need to navigate through the process of buying or selling a home. From listing at the right price to making the best offer, our Executives have witnessed the best - and most regrettable - decisions homeowners and homebuyers can make. Every day, they are immersed in every aspect of real estate that includes comparable home price analysis, property surveys, credit reports, open houses, HOA agreements, lenders, title companies, homeowners’ insurance, walk-throughs, terms of sale or purchase, repairs, concessions and closing documents. Let our accomplished Executives help navigate you through the process of buying or selling a home.
Each office independently owned and operated.
