Selling Your Las Vegas Home When You Have Pets

by Ryan Rose

You love your pets. They are family. But when selling your home, pets present challenges. Not all buyers are animal lovers, pet evidence can turn off potential buyers, and managing pets during showings adds complexity. Here is how to sell successfully while keeping your furry family members in the picture.

The Pet Perception Problem

Even pet lovers can be put off when viewing a home with obvious pet presence. Their concern is not your pets specifically but what pets may have done to the property:

Pet Evidence	Buyer Concern
Pet odor	Is it in the carpet, walls, HVAC?
Scratched floors or doors	How extensive is the damage?
Stained carpet	Are there hidden stains? Padding damage?
Yard damage	Dead grass, holes, worn paths
Hair on surfaces	Cleanliness concerns

Eliminating Pet Evidence

Before listing, address pet-related issues:

Deep clean everything. Professional cleaning of carpets, upholstery, and ductwork removes embedded pet odors and hair.

Address odors specifically. Enzymatic cleaners break down pet odor sources. Air purifiers help ongoing. You may be nose-blind to odors you live with daily, so get an honest outside opinion.

Repair damage. Fix scratched doors, baseboards, and floors. Patch holes in screens. Repair yard damage.

Replace what cannot be cleaned. Sometimes carpet or padding must be replaced if odors have penetrated too deeply.

Remove pet items. During showings, remove food bowls, litter boxes, beds, and toys. They remind buyers that pets live there.

Managing Pets During Showings

Pets should not be present during showings:

Take them with you. When possible, take pets when you leave for showings.

Board or daycare. For active listing periods, consider daycare or temporary boarding.

Friend or family. Ask someone to pet-sit during showing windows.

Crate in garage. As a last resort, crate pets in the garage with a note for showing agents. This is not ideal but better than loose pets.

Loose pets during showings create problems: buyers may be allergic, afraid, or simply distracted. Pets may escape through open doors. Agents are not pet-sitters.

Safety and Liability

If a pet bites or injures a showing visitor, you may be liable. Beyond the moral and legal issues, this could derail your sale entirely. Never leave aggressive pets accessible during showings.

The Yard Situation

Backyards often show pet wear most clearly:

Dead grass from urine. Reseed or sod affected areas.

Worn paths. Refresh landscaping in traffic areas.

Holes from digging. Fill and level dug areas.

Waste. Thoroughly clean the yard before every showing.

In Las Vegas, many yards are desert landscaped, which can be easier to refresh than grass.

Pet Doors and Features

Pet doors are divisive. Some buyers appreciate them. Others see security concerns or do not have pets and view them as problems.

Consider whether to remove pet doors before listing or leave them. If you leave them, ensure they are clean and functional. Highlight that they can be easily removed or sealed if the buyer does not need them.

Disclosing Pet History

You are not required to disclose that you had pets unless there is material damage. However, buyers may ask directly, and honesty is always the best policy. If you have addressed pet-related issues, you can honestly say the home has been professionally cleaned and any damage repaired.

For Homes with Extensive Pet Damage

If pet damage is significant and you cannot or choose not to repair it:

Price accordingly. Reflect the needed repairs in your price.

Target appropriate buyers. Investors and pet owners may be less concerned about existing pet wear.

Disclose issues. Be upfront about condition to avoid surprises during inspection.

Where to Start

If you are selling your Las Vegas home and have pets, preparation is key. I can help you identify what needs attention and develop a showing strategy that works for your situation.

Ready to discuss your sale? Request a free home evaluation here or reach out directly to talk through your options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Your Las Vegas Home With Pets

Q1: Do I have to tell buyers that I have pets in my home?

You are not legally required to disclose that you have pets unless there is material damage to the property. However, if buyers ask directly, honesty is always the best policy. If you've professionally cleaned and repaired any pet-related issues, you can confidently share that information with potential buyers.

Q2: Should my pets be home during showings?

No, pets should not be present during showings. Buyers may be allergic, afraid of animals, or distracted by pets. There's also a risk of pets escaping through open doors or causing liability issues if they bite or injure someone. Take pets with you, arrange for boarding or daycare, or have a friend pet-sit during showing windows.

Q3: How do I get rid of pet odors before selling?

Start with professional cleaning of carpets, upholstery, and ductwork to remove embedded odors and hair. Use enzymatic cleaners that break down pet odor sources at the molecular level. Run air purifiers continuously. Since you may be nose-blind to odors you live with daily, get an honest outside opinion from a friend or your real estate agent. In severe cases, you may need to replace carpet or padding if odors have penetrated too deeply.

Q4: Should I remove my pet door before listing my home?

Pet doors are divisive among buyers. Some appreciate them while others see security concerns or view them as problems if they don't have pets. Consider your local market and consult with your agent. If you leave the pet door, ensure it's clean and functional, and highlight that it can be easily removed or sealed if needed. If most buyers in your area don't have pets, removing it before listing may be the better option.

Q5: What pet-related repairs should I make before listing?

Address scratched doors, baseboards, and floors. Patch holes in window screens. Repair yard damage including dead grass from urine, worn paths, and holes from digging. If carpet has stains that won't come out with professional cleaning, consider replacement. Fix any damage to walls or trim caused by scratching or chewing. These repairs prevent buyers from worrying about hidden damage and help your home show at its best.

Q6: How do I prepare my yard if my pets have damaged it?

Reseed or sod areas with dead grass from pet urine. Refresh landscaping in worn traffic areas where pets frequently run. Fill and level any holes from digging. Thoroughly clean the yard and remove all pet waste before every showing. In Las Vegas, many homes have desert landscaping, which can be easier to refresh than grass and may only require raking, adding fresh rock, and replacing damaged plants.

Q7: What should I do if my pet has caused extensive damage that I can't afford to repair?

If pet damage is significant and you cannot or choose not to repair it before selling, price your home accordingly to reflect the needed repairs. Target appropriate buyers such as investors or pet owners who may be less concerned about existing pet wear. Be upfront and disclose issues to avoid surprises during the inspection that could derail your sale or lead to larger price reductions.

Q8: What pet items should I remove before showings?

Remove all visible evidence of pets during showings, including food and water bowls, litter boxes, pet beds, toys, scratching posts, and crates. Also remove pet photos from walls and pet-related décor. These items remind buyers that pets live in the home and may trigger concerns about odors or damage they haven't noticed yet. Store these items in your garage or car during showings.

Q9: Can I be held liable if my pet injures someone during a showing?

Yes, if your pet bites or injures a showing visitor, you may be held liable. Beyond the moral and legal issues, an incident like this could completely derail your sale. Never leave aggressive or unpredictable pets accessible during showings. Even friendly pets can become territorial or anxious with strangers in their home. Always remove pets from the property during showings for everyone's safety.

Q10: Is it worth hiring professional cleaners when selling a home with pets?

Absolutely. Professional cleaners have specialized equipment and products that can remove embedded pet hair, dander, and odors that regular cleaning misses. They can deep clean carpets, upholstery, and even air ducts. The investment typically pays for itself by helping your home show better, reducing buyer concerns, and potentially leading to faster sales and better offers. Consider it an essential part of preparing your pet-friendly home for market.