How to Sell Your Home Fast When You Have Pets

The Pacific Northwest is arguably the most pet-friendly region in the country. From hiking trails in Bend to the massive dog parks in Vancouver, we love our animals. However, when it comes time to sell your home, your furry best friends can accidentally cost you a top-dollar offer if you aren't careful.

If you are listing your Oregon or Washington home in 2026, here is how to prepare your house when you have pets:

1. Eradicate the Odors We get "nose blind" to our own homes. Have your real estate agent walk through your house and give you their brutally honest opinion on how it smells. Before taking listing photos, you must deep clean carpets, wash all pet bedding, and replace your HVAC filters to neutralize odors. Do not rely on heavy air fresheners; buyers will assume you are hiding something.

2. Repair the "Pet Damage" Take a weekend to patch up the scratches on the back door, re-seed the yellow spots on the lawn, and fix any chewed or damaged baseboards. Buyers want a move-in-ready home, not a project.

3. Hide the Pet Clutter When staging your home for showings, the dog crates, litter boxes, water bowls, and squeaky toys need to be completely out of sight. A buyer should be able to walk through the home and not immediately know a pet lives there.

4. Have a Showing Plan You cannot leave your pets wandering the house or locked in a bedroom during a buyer showing. It is stressful for the animal and highly distracting for the buyer. Have a "go bag" ready by the door so you can easily take the dog for a walk or load the cats into the car the second a showing is requested.

Need help getting your home ready for the market? We know exactly how to stage pet-friendly homes to attract top buyers.

Call us today for a free pre-listing consultation!

Call: (503) 300-6614