Pets are an important part of our lives; they’re family members. Unfortunately, not everyone loves pets like an owner does. Prospective home purchasers have come to view the home, not to worry about or visit with pets. Realtors want, and need the undivided attention of prospects to point out the features of the home.

It is a positive first impression of the home that results in a second visit, and very possibly an offer. Homes with pets may give the impression they are not as clean or fresh as a pet-free environment. Pet hair or faint animal odors can be a strong negative for prospects. There are some steps you can take to bridge the gap between pet ownership and having a home on the market.

Begin by being totally honest with your Realtor about how your pets will react with strangers in the house. Familiarize them with their names. When a showing is scheduled the best thing to do is remove the pets from the house and property. If that is not possible, confine your animals in a secure location so that the home can be viewed without distraction. Vacuum and dust. Have carpets cleaned by a professional carpet cleaning service to remove stains and odors. Refrain from using potpourri and air fresheners; they may create an impression they are masking odors. If you have a cat, clean the litter box daily. Lastly, your animals might inadvertently bolt from the house when it is being shown. Your pet may not respond when called by a stranger so make certain they wear ID tags.

Heed the advice of your Realtor when it comes to marketing a home with pets. They have the experience and expertise to maximize the viewing opportunity for the prospect and minimize the inconveniene for you and your pets.