Listing your home is exciting… but doing it with kids or pets running around? That’s a special kind of adventure. The good news: with a few smart systems in place, you can keep your home show-ready without losing your sanity. Here’s how to make the process smoother, faster, and a whole lot less stressful.
1. Create a Quick-Grab Declutter System
Kids and pets come with accessories—LOTS of accessories. Instead of trying to fight the tide, give yourself an easy way to whisk things away at a moment’s notice.
Try this:
- Keep a couple of decorative baskets in main living areas. Before showings, toss toys, blankets, and random “treasures” inside.
- For pets, keep a small bin by the back door for leashes, treats, and waste bags.
- In bedrooms, dedicate one drawer or tote for “everything that doesn’t have a home.” Buyers don’t open drawers in furniture!
Why it works: Your space looks clean without you spending 30 minutes negotiating with a toddler about the fate of a toy dinosaur.
2. Give Each Kid (or Pet!) a “Show Day” Job
Kids actually love to help when it feels like a mission. Pets… well, maybe not, but we can try.
For kids:
Assign tiny tasks like fluffing pillows, turning off lights, closing toilet lids, or putting stuffed animals in a basket.
For pets:
Their “job” is to go for a walk or hop in the car during showings (even the most lovable pets can be distracting or anxiety-inducing for buyers).
3. Set Up a Safe Spot for Pet Supplies
Even the most well-behaved dogs and cats come with stuff—beds, bowls, food bags, scratch posts, crates.
Choose one place in the home to store it all neatly, preferably out of sight. A laundry room or garage works great.
Before showings:
- Tuck beds and bowls away
- Hide the litter box if you can, or at least give it a fresh scoop
- Vacuum pet hair off furniture and rugs (a cordless stick vac is a lifesaver here)
4. Use “Show-Ready” Linens and Towels
Buyers notice small details, and nothing says “fresh, clean home” like crisp, neutral linens.
Pro tip:
Keep a set of white towels or a simple duvet strictly for showings. Five minutes before you leave, swap them in. They make the room look polished and spa-like, even if five minutes earlier chaos was happening.
5. Have a 15-Minute Clean Routine
You don’t need perfection—just a tidy, good-feeling home.
Focus on these:
- Clear counters
- Make beds
- Wipe down sinks
- Empty trash
- Open blinds for light
- Start a quick vacuum pass (especially if you have furry friends!)
If you do nothing else, these alone make a big difference.
6. Smell Matters—But Keep It Light
Kids snack. Pets… have their own aromas. Keep scents fresh but not overwhelming.
Easy wins:
- Open windows when you’re home
- Light a neutral candle (vanilla or linen) before you leave
- Use an enzyme spray for pet areas
- Take out diapers, litter, and food trash frequently
Buyers should never feel the need to guess what they’re smelling.
7. Make a Showing “Go Bag”
When it’s time to clear out last-minute, have a bag ready with:
- Snacks
- Activities for the kids
- Treats or a leash for the dog
- Water bottles
- Phone chargers
- Pet wipes (muddy paws happen at the worst times)
A ready-to-grab bag saves you from scrambling when the agent calls with a surprise showing.
8. Give Yourself Grace
Selling your home with kids or pets isn’t always picture-perfect—and that’s okay. Buyers understand families live here. Your goal isn’t perfection. It’s making your home feel welcoming, cared for, and easy for someone else to imagine themselves in.
With a good routine (and maybe a couple baskets to hide the chaos), you’ll get through this—and you might even laugh about the adventure later.
