There's no doubt pets play a very important role in our homes.  They greet us after a long day, they protect our property and comfort us when things go wrong. There are alot of pet lover's-but some home buyer's don't want traces of previous pets. Here are a few tips to ensure that you can enjoy your pet and sell your home at the same time!

1-) Invest in a good carpet cleaner.  It's always a good idea to have a good carpet cleaner or have your carpets cleaned to ensure there are no obvious  pet stains.  Pet odors can radiate throughout the house, but a carpet cleaner can help remove these odors.

2-) Keep your pet out of the house while showing the home.  It is best while showing the home to leave your pet with a friend or relative.  If noone is available, putting your pet in a crate in the garage or somewhere less likely for potential buyers to be.  Put their blanket, toy, food & water in that area to make them more comfortable.

3-) Make sure your yard is clean.  Clean up any traces of your pet in the yard.  Waste and toys.  If there are any bare patches of grass, aerate and seed or plant sod for a quick fix.

4-) Put away pictures of pets.  Potential buyers pay attention to pictures during showings.  These will be a giveaway of pet ownership so its best not to display them while showing your home.

5-) Check your insurance policy.  Even though your pet may be the sweetest pet in the world, having your pet around during a showing poses potential risks.  They may feel threatened around certain people.  Take a look at your homeowner's policy and make sure it covers you in the event your pet becomes aggressive with someone on your property.  It doesn't always have to be malicious: even if your pet knocks someone down due to excitement, you could still be held liable.  These situations happen more often than you think, so its better to be prepared.

   There's no reason to let your 4-legged friend hinder your selling process!  Use these tips to ensure that you can enjoy your pet, and still make an incredible deal all at the same time!