Could a Pet Reduce Your Houston Home Value by $30,000?

How much do you love your dog? Nearly 60 percent of American households have at least one dog. But the cost of food, toys, and vet bills is nothing compared to the effect on your home’s value. Could your pet lower the selling price of your Houston home by as much as $30,000?

Which Dog Breed Is the Most Destructive?

Surprisingly, it’s a Chihuahua. This tiny breed destroys an average of $1112 worth of property every year, according to a recent study.

Compare that to the family-friendly Labrador Retriever, which causes only $360 in Damage per year. It’s little surprise that Labradors are the most popular breed in America.

Here are the top five most popular breeds in Houston (according to the American Kennel Club), and how much damage they cause every year:

1. Labrador Retriever: $360
2. Bulldog: $957
3. German Shepherd: $718
4. Golden Retriever: $360
5. Yorkshire Terrier: $290

How Much Does a Dog Reduce the Value Of Your Home?

Add up the cost of scratched doors and floors, dead spots on the lawn, chewed woodwork, stains and odors, and your dog suddenly becomes much more expensive. This is especially true when it comes time to sell your home.

A real estate agent on Boston Real Estate Now revealed that he sold a property for $30,000 less than expected because stubborn pet odors kept turning away most buyers.

Even your neighbor’s barking dog can lower the selling price of your home. Many interested buyers will walk away after being confronted by barking dogs on the other side of the fence. With fewer interested buyers, your house is likely to sit on the market longer, and ultimately fetch a lower price.

5 Tips for Selling a Home with Pets

Just because you have a dog doesn’t mean your home value has to drop by thousands of dollars. Here are the essential steps to take.

1. Get an Outside Opinion

Living with a pet can make it difficult to notice the signs of everyday wear and tear. Ask someone you trust to go through the home with you and point out every sign of damage: dog hair, odors, scratches, marks on the walls, etc.

2. Remove the Evidence

Start by hiding all obvious signs of your pets: feeding dishes, beds, leashes, pet toys, food, and all other pet supplies.

Then remove any stained rugs and chewed or scratched furniture. The remaining furniture should be vacuumed to remove pet hairs before staging your home.

3. Fix Up the Yard

Thoroughly inspect the yard to make sure there are no lingering surprises left behind. A single misstep on the part of an interested buyer could cost you a sale. To minimize smells, double bag any waste you pick up.

Dig out any dead spots in the lawn, and fill in holes where your dogs have been digging. Cover bare areas with grass seed or new sod.

4. Repair the Interior

Inside the house, fill and paint over minor scratches and chew marks. Major damage may require you to cut and replace drywall, or replace trim.

For floor stains, use a black light (UV light) to locate trouble spots. Try applying vinegar and water, or an enzyme-based cleaner. Scrub with a stiff-bristled brush or a steam cleaner.

If stubborn stains and smells linger, you may need to remove the stained carpet and pad, and then seal (or possibly replace) the wood subfloor to get rid of the odor.

5. Relocate Your Pets

Pets should never be at home during a showing. Even if they are well behaved, they still serve as a distraction to buyers. Worse, the pets could become stressed or get loose. Ideally, have your pets stay with a friend or relative while your house is on the market.

You can still love your dog without letting it ruin your home’s value. If you follow these steps, you should minimize (or even eliminate) the damage, and sell your home for what it’s really worth.