Speechless Sunday (Almost)~Pretty Kitty Wearing Chanel!

The kitty may be wearing Chanel, but her cat box tells another story! It's hard to sell a home with pets. I have buyer clients who swear they can tell if a cat is in the home from the moment the front door swings open. And most of these clients don't have a fur allergy, they smell the cat box. Sweaty, wet dogs smells can especially noxious in the summer. Any pet odor or stains can kill a sale. 

So what do you do if your home is on the market and you have a pet?

• Keep your pet well groomed to reduce odor, hair and nail damage.

• Get a pet bed for your dogs and cats. Not only does it provide extra comfort and it keeps dirt and sweat their bodies and fur from going into the carpet fibers.


• Have a proper sized kennel or cage for exotic pets and clean often.


• Clear all accidents immediately. Use special pet cleaners to remove odors and stains.


• Cover all exposed woodwork especially around windows. Pets love to jump up and look out windows. Use gates to limit your pet's access to soft wood floors like birch or cherry wood. Nail marks require the floor to be completely sanded down before refinishing. It can get very costly.


• Don't chain your dog to the side of your house. Chains and bolts can cause both cosmetic and structural damage to your home.

• If your dog shows behavior problems such as chewing, clawing etc, address them immediately to avoid damage to your home.

Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

Wordless Wednesday (Almost) I Smell Fabulous!

Cinnamon loves playing with ribbons and this one that came with my Christmas gift is no exception. She smells nothing like Coco though...and when your home is on the market it is important to remember that pet odors can make or break a sale.

Here are a few additional tips for selling a home with pets:

• Keep your pet well groomed to reduce odor, hair and damage caused by nails & claws.

• Get a pet bed for your dogs and cats. (Several are available at OLDDOGPAWS.com. It not only is more comfortable than the floor, it keeps dirt and sweat from their fur from going into the carpet fibers. Move the bed from room to room or buy a couple for their favorite spots. Pet beds are considerably cheaper than replacing carpet. Cats like beds too...especially if positioned in front of  windows.


• Have a proper sized kennel or cage for exotic pets and clean often.


• Clean all accidents immediately. Use special pet cleaners to remove odors and stains.


• Cover all exposed woodwork especially around windows. Pets love to jump up and look out windows. Use gates to limit your pet's access to soft wood floors like birch or cherry wood. scratches from nails will often require the floor to be completely sanded down before refinishing which can be costly.


• Avoid chaining your dog to the side of your house for long periods of time. Chains and bolts can cause both cosmetic and structural damage to your home.

• If your pet shows behavior problems such as chewing, clawing etc, address them immediately to avoid damage to your home.

 

Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

Seasonal Scents can Help Sell Your Home!

Whether your home is on the market before, after or during the holidays, scents can affect the sale. A beautiful home staged wonderfully can be overlooked if the family cat is front and center…especially when the buyers don’t even see the feline. Often one whiff of an unemptied litter box can be enough to send a carload of potential buyers rushing out the door. 

So what can a cat loving, home seller do? 

Beyond the obvious of emptying the box prior to a showing, there are a few things that could be helpful. One option is to light scented candles but there is a potential fire hazard, especially with kitties in the house. Another is to use plug-in air fresheners but that can seem artificial and bother some home buyers with sensitive noses. I prefer a natural air freshener. Here’s a great seasonal recipe for a natural potpourri that can be stored and used for a few weeks. I have the basics to the recipe below. 

And if you are looking for a budget-friendly DIY present to give to family and friends this year; natural holiday potpourri can be packaged as a gift too!

Natural Stove Top Potpourri for the Holidays

• 1 orange quartered (Fresh is not required)

• 1/2 cup whole fresh cranberries

• 1 Tablespoon. whole cloves

• 2-3 sticks of cinnamon

• a dash of grated nutmeg

Place ingredients in saucepan. Add ½ cup water and simmer on low heat until house smells wonderful.

Cool and store in refrigerator until next use.

 

Copyright 2012 www.terieckholm.com