Moving and Selling with Pets

Buying or selling a home with pets can seem daunting for everyone involved. Here are a few great tips to make moving with a pet easier.

Buying a Home as a Pet Owner

Pet owners buying a new home should consider their furry friends’ current and future needs. This can restrict the number of house choices available and create additional expenses to make modifications. Some pet-owner questions to ponder are:

• Where can I take my dog outside to play or pathways to walk on?
• What time do I walk my dog, and will I feel safe walking in the neighbourhood then?
• Is there a yard for my dog?
• Is the yard fenced for safety?
• Do the neighbours have dogs too?
• Are there any pet restrictions (primarily condos)?

Condo Life and Pets – What Should I Think About?

Before falling in love with a condo or townhouse, start by investigating the pet restrictions. Whether you have pets or plan to in the future, check the condo board rules. In general, condo townhouses have fewer restrictions than condo apartments. You should be able to inquire about pet rules and regulations through your REALTOR®, the condo property manager or by checking the by-laws (on the unit’s status certificate).

Some common restrictions are as follows:

• How many pets can you have?
• Is there a specific weight limit?
• What type of pets can you have (some condos only allow cats, for example)?
• Limits on pet noise?
• Rules about where pets can relieve themselves?
• Rules about pet access?
• Do you have to register the pet with the building?
• Are there extra fees to have pets?

I Have Pets and am Selling my Home – What to do?

When selling your home, you want it to appeal to the masses—both the buyers who love pets and the buyers who do not. Firstly, to attract the attention of pet owners, mention things about the property, like a fully fenced yard, near parks, and let buyers know about the pet restrictions (if there are any). The second crowd you need to appeal to is the pet-free crowd. Many buyers have pet allergies and get nervous about the “dirt” that animals leave behind. If possible, deep clean the whole house before each showing, and remove any signs of a pet and your actual pet. 

The key takeaway is that you remove the pet(s) before showing a home to eliminate distractions. On the other hand, animals can also get stressed with strangers in their house, and the last thing you want is to have your cat, dog, or rabbit run out through an open door. Ask your REALTOR® about giving you a heads up to remove your pets before they bring clients.

If you have some furry friends and want to buy or sell comfortably, let me help you find the perfect house!