Dealing With Renters when Selling Your Home

Dealing with Renters when Selling a Home

Buying a house is an investment, whether you live in it or not; but when you come to selling a home, having renters living in the house can be more challenging than you might like.

The simplest route to take is probably to wait until your lease with the renter expires; but this isn’t always possible. For instance there are some areas in the US where local tenant-landlord regulations state that renters must be given the option to buy a property they have been leasing. Washington DC is one place where this is the case. So if you’re selling a home with renters currently living there, then you need to check this issue first.

If you don’t have to give your renters the option of first refusal, and you are able to wait until the lease expires, there are other potential problems you should be aware of. The most obvious is that there is no guarantee a house will sell immediately it is put on the market, which means you could sit with an empty house for several months. And for a homeowner who has been renting the house out, an empty house means no income. But there’s another problem. While there are some excellent renters, a large number tend to ignore maintenance issues, and so when it comes to selling a home with renters in it you may find it has become rundown. This leads to the problem of having to do repairs while the tenants are still living in your house.

You will also find it more difficult to stage a home with renters.

It can get even worse if renters don’t want to move, because then they can become very hostile, which can put even the most eager buyers off. There are also ways that very reluctant renters can delay sales for as long as a year.

Tips for Dealing with Renters

Clear, honest communication is essential when you’re selling a home and dealing with tenants. Just as renters can become hostile, landlords can seem threatening, even when they don’t intend to be. So you need to explain what’s happening to your renters and reassure them that their privacy won’t be exploited. For instance, make sure they know you will give them ample warning before buyers are invited to view their home. It’s usually best to choose one or more specific days and times that suit them best.

Another excellent ploy is to offer some type of reward to your renters to persuade them to do their best in terms of keeping the house looking good while it is on the market, as well as being pleasant when agents and prospective buyers visit. For example you could offer them 50% off one month’s rent. You could also offer a gift certificate for dinner for two for each month your home with renters is on the market.

A good landlord (which is what you should aim to be) will also be concerned about their renters’ belongings. So suggest they keep valuables safely locked away whenever strangers are in the house.
Ultimately you need to remember that while selling a home with renters in it is challenging, for these people your house is their home. It’s difficult for them too.

Considering Selling Your Home? Take a look at the value of homes in your area by Clicking on this Link.

I am always available to talk to you about marketing your home. Please call me and lets chat.




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Dealing With Pets When Selling a Home

Dealing With Pets When Selling a Home

Animal lovers generally adore their household pets, whether they are dogs, cats, rats, birds, or reptiles. But animals can be a hugely negative factor when selling a home, and it’s not just because most have a distinctive smell.

If you have pets at home while your house is on the market, you need to be aware that they could be the cause of a lower selling price, or even the cause of not being able to sell your home. 

Reasons Buyers Object to Pets at Home 

Not everybody likes animals; in fact some people are scared of them, particularly dogs. And it isn’t only big dogs people are afraid of; little yappers are notorious when it comes to nipping strangers.

People who don’t like cats usually loathe them. It might be because they are allergic to cat hair, because they scratch, or because they are simply superstitious. The reason isn’t relevant. If a buyer doesn’t like cats, even though the cat doesn’t go with the house, it’s highly probable it will put that person off.

Pet odors are a major reason why buyers object to pets at home. So if you are trying to sell your home this is something you must be aware of. 

Whilst cats are generally “clean” animals, many people keep them indoors which means they use a cat tray with kitty litter. Even if you are meticulous in terms of cleaning a cat tray, it will sometimes smell – BAD!

Dogs generally have an odor, though animal lovers with pets at home rarely notice it. They seem to desensitize. And we won’t even mention how bad a rat in a cage can smell, particularly if the cage isn’t cleaned regularly. 

And even animal lovers will often object to dogs jumping up at them or cats trying to climb on their laps. So what do you do?

What to do with Pets when Selling a Home

The ideal is to move them out. If you don’t have a friend or someone in the family who is willing and able to care for your pets while you sell your home, then send them to a boarding kennel or pet hotel. At very least get them out of the house when buyers visit. 

Locking them in the garage or a part of the house or garden really isn’t good enough. Generally cats and dogs will make a noise if they are contained in a way or kept somewhere they are not used to. Barking and meouwing tends to make people feel uncomfortable, which is not how you want potential buyers to feel. 

Also get rid of all signs that you have pets living in your home. Clean your floors and carpets to get rid of stains and bad odor. There are some excellent products on the market that work well, or you might prefer to use a professional carpet cleaning company. Put food and water dishes away. Vacuum any loose dirt or animal hair.  Hide pet toys and carriers. 

Remember first impressions really do count, and if pets at home are going to put buyers off, and make it more difficult to sell your home, you don’t want to bring on the thought. 

Considering Selling Your Home? I would love to assist you!

Karen@KarenBrowder.com