Can having a dog or cat (or any other pet) reduce the resale value of your home?  Well, first of all, let’s look at how many Americans actually own pets.  The American Pets Products Manufacterer’s Association says that 43 million households have dogs while almost 38 million households have cats.  That said, it’s very likely that the people who will be looking to buy your  house will be pet owners themselves as will other properties for sale at the same time as your home is for sale.  So, if you decide to get a pet, you won’t be alone!

That’s not to say you shouldn’t take certain precautions, though.  If you have a pet in your home, there are things you’ll want to do before putting your house on the market and before each showing of your home:

-Make sure you keep the house clean of pet hair.  Have the carpets and furniture professionally cleaned before putting your house on the market and dust and vacuum frequently.

-Repair any pet-related damage such as chewed on cabinets or stained carpet.

-Keep the animal out of the house during showings.  Whether you take the pet with your or put the pet in a kennel, you don’t want potential homebuyers being surprised by seeing an animal in your house.

As long as your house is in good condition and clean, the presence of a pet shouldn’t affect the value of your home.