Should homeowners hoping to sell leave their pets’ things in plain sight during showings?
In a word, no.
“A lot of people are fearful,” said Stefania Cardinali, an associate real-estate broker at Citi Habitats in New York. “Not everyone is familiar with dogs and cats.”
Beyond buyers’ phobias and allergies, there is also the potential for mishaps such as biting, jumping or clawing,” without needing to use a lint brush afterward, Cardinali said.
“A showing is not just about looking but about relaxing and enjoying the space.”
As for pet toys and accessories: The fewer the buyer sees, the better, said Joan Dineen, an architect and dog owner who recently put her New York home on the market.
 eyesores. It’s a bad idea to have kitty jungle gyms displayed prominently in the living room, Dineen said.
Leave only those accessories that work with your decor.
“A dog bed should look like a pillow you’d want to have in your house anyway,” she said, noting that beautiful items can be purchased from companies such as Harry Barker and Jax & Bones.
Just before each showing, she said, thoroughly “de-fur” all surfaces and make sure there is no visible pet-related damage. Dineen’s dog, Charlotte, has been known to chew bedspreads and carpets. But once the apartment has been prepared for potential buyers, Dineen said, “There’s nothing to show that she has in any way depreciated the value of the property.”
Cardinali said she recently showed a New York apartment in which, she said, to “minimize the potential objections and nuisance factors.”