You love your dog, but when homebuyers are holding their nose as they cross your threshold, there’s a bone of contention from that doggy smell lingering in the air. You need help to remove Fido’s fragrance, so your home can be more appealing and the sale more profitable. To help you quell the smell, we’ve gathered expert insights and researched the best solutions you need to remove dog smells and add the sweet smell of success to your next showing or open house. Real estate agent, Edward Kaminsky, who has over 35 years of experience, in Manhattan Beach, California, knows the value of preparing your home for a sale, as he is currently ranked among the top 100 agents in the U.S. We’ll also share tips from Greg Shepard, the founder and CEO of Dallas Maids of Frisco, who has over 18 years of experience in the cleaning industry.
Dogs can have a variety of odors wafting from different parts of their anatomy or from the environment that’s carried into your house. The parts that typically are the smelliest include: When you’re looking into your dog’s big, soulful eyes and enjoying their sweet disposition, their smell might not be noticeable to you. That’s why when Kaminsky is first assessing a home, and can immediately tell if a dog lives there, he often will have a tactful discussion with the homeowner. “It’s because you noticed it and a lot of times, the truth is, owners don’t know. Because when you live in a home, you don’t smell the things that other people smell. And so it’s important to point it out to the owners. So you can at least have an honest conversation about how other people will react when they walk in the house.” After discussing the issue, then Kaminsky will know if the seller is willing to take actions to address the odor, typically increasing the home’s value, or if they prefer to sell the home in its current condition, usually for a lower price. Sometimes his recommendations will include cleaning, new staging furniture, and in one case he suggested a family vacation with the dog and changing the flooring to a new wood style. “Because, one, it was going to look amazing, and it’s going to smell amazing, and those two things would make a profit for the owner. It was a challenge to remove the dog for a period of time, but it probably in this case, enhanced the home by close to fifty to a hundred thousand dollars,” says Kaminsky. You’re ready to roll up your sleeves and expel the smell around the house by paying special attention to those areas where your dog spends the most time. According to Shepard, the best strategy for overall house cleaning is to go from top to bottom as dirt will fall down as you clean that can be removed later when you do the floors.
Think you know every nook and cranny of your house where your pet might have relieved themselves? If you’re not easily frightened of what you’ll find in the dark, consider purchasing a blacklight to identify exactly where to clean. While you might uncover more than you want to see, at least the mystery will be solved and you’ll know what areas need the most attention. Typical spots where dogs use as a bathroom are: You’ve done lots of vacuuming, mopping and dusting of your home and while things have improved, you can still smell your dog’s essence, and now need to seek out additional help. Professional cleaners such as carpet cleaners will assess your situation, usually address stains with an enzyme treatment and then finish with a deeper carpet cleaning. After the professionals get their chance, if your house still has a pet odor, then you’ll usually have to consider replacement of the carpet and padding to eliminate it altogether. Short of sending your dog to a pet resort for a long extended vacation, after you go to the trouble of removing your dog odors, you don’t want Rover to do it all over again. In order to ensure your home stays smelling fresh, try these proven strategies that will keep your dog and home clean: “If you have a pet, the most important thing to do is ask people that have not been to your home before or very often, could you please be honest and tell me if you smell anything that’s not great,” says Kaminsky. After getting this feedback, Kaminsky suggests looking at the materials that would likely retain the smell and determine if it can either be cleaned or replaced. If you’re ready to welcome buyers with a sensational home that is fresh and clean smelling, remember these key takeaways: Assess your situation: If you’re not sure the dog smell will affect your sale, ask friends or professionals who don’t regularly visit to be “nosy” for you. Spring into cleaning: Clean and freshen up every area of your house, especially where your dog hangs out and use a blacklight to see every stain, if you dare… Hire a professional: If the job is bigger than what you want or can accomplish, consider hiring a professional who can either clean or install new carpet or wood flooring. Ready to find an agent who can help your sale smell sweet? Consider using HomeLight’s Agent Match platform where a top real estate agent who has years of experience can help you address dog smells and other concerns to help you navigate a successful home sale.Why do dogs make your house smell bad?
When you live in a home, you don’t smell the things that other people smell. And so it’s important to point it out to the owners. So you can at least have an honest conversation about how other people will react when they walk in the house.
How can a strong dog smell affect your home value?
How can you get dog smell out of your house?
Dust and sweep to whisk away the dog hair
Get attached to vacuuming around the house
Clearing the air will make the most sense
Use the mop and washing machine to get surfaces clean
Sniff out a new scent or keep things under cover
Ready to be your dog’s stain detective?
When should you consider calling a professional?
How can I minimize future dog smells in my home?
Caring for your dog:
Fresh ideas for your home:
Conclusion: No smell, easier to sell
Edward Kaminsky
Real Estate Agent
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Edward Kaminsky
Real Estate Agent at The Kaminsky Real Estate Group
Currently accepting new clients