Dear David,

We plan to list our home in the next few weeks and are trying to figure out how to manage our pets during showings. We have a dog and a cat, and my partner and I both work during the day. Is it reasonable to restrict showings to evenings and weekends? – PET PARENTS

DEAR PARENTS: Pets are an important part of the family, but it’s important that they not affect a buyer’s impression of your largest asset. Before listing your property, take an honest look at whether it looks or smells like a pet owner’s home. Are there chewed doors or window sills? Does your armchair look like a scratching post? Are there yellow patches in the yard, or “land mines” in the grass? As a seller, it’s not in your best interest to make your pets obvious. Some buyers could have allergies or may be nervous around animals, while others will wonder about odours, cleaning or hidden damage, even if the home is well maintained.

For showings, it’s best to remove pets whenever possible, so buyers can walk through the space comfortably, focus on the house, and not worry about animals getting loose, barking, hiding, or reacting to strangers. It also protects your pets from the stress of having unfamiliar people in their home. 

Restricting showings to evenings and weekends can work in limited situations, but needs to be done carefully. When your home is easy to show, more buyers can see it and there’s a better chance of generating strong interest. If daytime showings are restricted, you may miss buyers who are on a tight schedule, or agents trying to show several properties in one trip.

Consider creating a showing plan before your listing goes live. If possible, take the dog to work or use doggy daycare your first week on the market, as even a crated dog can bark, become anxious, or encourage buyers to rush through the home if they feel uncomfortable. It may help to have a neighbour or family member remove pets as needed, to enable daytime showings. A shy cat may be fine staying in the house, but showing instructions should warn visitors not to let it out.

The point of all this is not to pretend you don’t have pets, but to give buyers the best experience by removing distractions in your home. Create a plan that balances your work needs with reasonable buyer access, then clean deeply, repair pet damage, manage odours, tidy the yard, and hide bowls and toys for photos and showings.

PRO TIP: Your first week on the market is critical, as that’s when buyers who’ve been waiting for a house like yours are likely to pop out of the woodwork. It’s important to keep your home available during those first few days, and if a short pet vacation at the in-laws allows you to do so, it’s a step worth taking. A well-prepared home can boost buyer confidence, and a seamless showing plan keeps buyer focus where it belongs — on your house. #Advice #AskDavid #TheNegotiator