Helpful Hints for Showing Your Home

9. Put Your Pets Somewhere Else

Dogs

Dogs especially are a problem and must be moved somewhere else, preferably to another part of town. Seriously. Why? Because when strangers come into a house, your dog may very well start barking. You don't want the dog to interfere with the buyer's ability to see the house.

Cats

Cats don't bark, but the can leave an odor. Make sure the litter area is clean. If you have a cat that tends to "miss the box," let him stay with your mother-in-law till the house sells.

Other Pets

Your children may like frogs, lizards, and snakes, but they might creep-out a buyer who favors parakeets. Consider moving your more "exotic" pets to a safe location at a friend's house.

On to Steps 10 & 11