It's important to give some thought to your household pets when you list your single-family home for sale — and, in particular, when people begin to schedule visits. It's a common approach to remove pets such as dogs and cats during these visits, as their presence may be distracting or even unnerving for certain prospective buyers who aren't fond of these animals. However, there's more that you need to do than just remove the pets from your home. If you have a number of pets and removing all of them isn't an option, here are some ways that you should proceed. 

Clean Up Pet Areas

If you have a fish tank or guinea pig cage, you may choose to leave these things in your home when prospective buyers are scheduled to visit. If this is the case, you'll want to ensure that you meticulously clean these areas. For example, in the case of a fish tank, you should scrub any algae off the sides of the tank and the rocks on the bottom, as well as replace the water with clear, clear water. With a guinea pig cage, clean out the wood shavings or paper scraps at the bottom and remove any of the animal's droppings.

Freshen The Smell

In rooms that your pets reside, it's possible that there are mild pet-related smells that you might not notice, but that could bother some people who are visiting your home. For example, a room with a hamster or rabbits may smell like wood shavings or hay clippings, while a room in which your dog spends a lot of time could have a damp smell. Air out these rooms in advance of someone visiting your home, and consider using a mild air freshener to keep any unwanted smells at bay.

Be Meticulous About Stain Removal

When certain prospective buyers are aware that pets reside in your home, they may go to considerable lengths to look for signs of the pets' presence. You want to do all that you can to send a message that says, "Pets may live here, but my house is impeccably clean." If you have dogs that have gone to the bathroom on the carpet, for example, make sure that no stains are present. You may even wish to consider replacing carpeted areas so that those who are visiting your home can't spot these issues and assume that your home is unclean as a result.

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