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Moving is a stressful transition, and it can be even more so for the pets in your life. Pets rely on routines and familiar spaces to thrive, so downsizing can have an impact on them. To make the transition a more successful one for both you and them, Animal Refuge Center recommends implementing some of the following tips for downsizing with a pet. 

Prepping Your Home for Sale

Pets bring a great deal of joy and love into a home. While they’re a beloved part of your family, unfortunately, they can make selling a home a bit more work. Prep your home by:

Repairing Damage and Removing Odors or Stains

Repair all damage, including places you think no one will notice. Check your carpets, hardwood floors, walls, doors, and fences. 

The smell of a home can have a bigger impact on potential buyers than you might imagine. Smells can, in fact, be a deal-breaker, so it’s very important to remove any odors or lingering pet smells.

Making Your Home Look Its Best

As part of the prepping process, stage your home for success. Doing so increases the chances of a quick and successful sale, so staging is worth both your time and money. The most important aspects to consider include:

Curb Appeal

First impressions are often everything when it comes to selling, so take the time needed to boost your home’s curb appeal. Don’t forget lawn maintenance, which is an important part of this process. Search for a lawn care provider, and speak to several pros before settling on one. Keep in mind that if your yard requires mulching, fertilizing, or hardscaping services, prices may be higher.

Some DIY options include power washing windows, walkways, and siding. You can repaint or stain the porch as needed and stage the porch as well.   

Remove All Clutter

Clutter must go if you’re serious about selling, and particularly about downsizing. Go room to room, removing all items you haven’t used or that clutter up the space. Items can be donated, thrown away, recycled, or kept.

Home Inspection

There are a number of benefits to completing a pre-listing home inspection, and chief among them is that it lets you make repairs before even listing your home, in turn making the selling process that much easier.  

Downsizing Efficiently

Pacing is key when it comes to downsizing. In general, give yourself at least three months to downsize efficiently.

Keeping Your Pet Comfortable Throughout the Process

Given the amount of time it takes to downsize, there may be times your pet is bored or alone. Plan ahead by setting aside some one-on-one time. Also, let your pet get used to a crate so that when moving day comes, the experience isn’t a traumatic one for it.

If your pet will stay with you during the move, make sure they are on a well-fitting harness or inside a crate. Even if your pet is great off leash, the activity and anxiety involved in a move can make them act strangely. Check online for pet care advice related to items like escape-proof harnesses, crates, and dog backpack carriers to help you ensure your pet is safe and secure during the move.

Finding the Right Home for You and Your Pet

Consider layouts, making sure your new space has plenty of room for your pet’s bed and toys; busy breeds might also need a fenced yard. If you’re taking out a mortgage on your new home, you’ll want to know your debt-to-income ratio. To do this, simply add up your current debt obligations for the month and divide the total by your gross monthly income.

Mortgage rates constantly change, so check the FHA mortgage rates today in order to accurately calculate your future monthly payments. There are different timeframes for repayment – traditionally between 15 to 30 years – so factor your loan duration in, too.

By planning ahead and doing the pre-listing legwork, you can set up both you and your pet for the best possible downsizing experience. Our pets play an important role in our lives, and we want to ensure they are comfortable during transitions. We at the Animal Refuge Center have seen far too many good plans go awry, so be careful as you prepare your home and your pet to move. Visit us online for helpful resources about caring for your pets, and to donate today.