How Fido is taking thousands of dollars off your Home Value in South Florida

In South Florida, we love our English Bulldogs, German Shepherds, and of course, the ever-present Chihuahua. Dog owners from West Palm to South Beach love getting out to enjoy our warm breezes, palm trees, and beautiful beaches for a pleasant stroll with one of these beloved hounds.

If you own a home in South Florida, you and Fido are lucky to stake your claim in one of the most coveted real estate markets in the country.  Inevitably though, it’s going to be time for you and Fluffy to find some new digs. When that time comes, and you’re getting ready to list the home, be prepared to face some challenges unique to pet owners. If you want to get the most that you can from your House, you should be aware of how much you stand to lose if you’ve been living for a while with your pet.

How much you ask? Well, most real estate agents in the South Florida area agree that a house with a pet can sell for as much as $30,000 less than a house without one.

Why do pets turn off homebuyers?

Many buyers get nervous around animals and feel uncomfortable around them. Not everyone grew up with a dog. Just because you have an obsession with four-legged cuddly creatures doesn’t mean everybody else does. Also, some people are genuinely afraid of dogs.

A potential homebuyer could also be a pet lover himself or herself, but the reality is, your pet isn’t theirs. To them, their pets are perfect, and to move into a house with another pet could just be a major turnoff.

So, (and most pet owners aren’t going to like hearing this), one of the best things you can do to make sure you’re home gets top dollar is to relocate your pet during the time that your home is on the market. Just leaving them in the yard, garage or elsewhere isn’t going to cut it. At the very least, during showings, give the dog to a friend or relative who can care for him or her. Or, board them at a kennel, or take them to work with you for the day. Just don’t have them around.

The best solution

When it comes right down to it, the best thing you can do to sell your house as a pet owner is to just move out and take your dog with you. But of course, you want some cash, and the quickest way to get some is to simply sell your home outright. At Homevestors, we’ll buy your house with cash in a matter of days. You won’t have to worry about all the cleanup, repair, and general hassle of selling a house that’s been marked by all the odor, dirt, and damage that comes from owning a pet. Selling to the experienced real estate professionals at Homevestors could just be your best option. Visit www.homevestors.com today to learn more.