Buying a Home with your pets in mind
Imagine this: You find a house online that looks adorable from the outside…you want to see more! All new appliances, new A/C and furnace and a roof that’s just a year old. Sounds great. The price…lower than your budget!
Then you see the pictures inside show an immaculate house, but….
brand new wall to wall carpeting. And the yard? Almost non-existent. Let’s not forget the Homeowner’s Association rule is strictly against fencing and you know your dog would not like an invisible fence.
No thank you!
According to a 2020 survey from Realtor.com, almost 95% of pet owners said they considered the needs of their furry friends to be important when selecting the right home to buy. They also found 68% of pet owners would pass on their dream house if it didn’t accommodate the needs of their animals.
What pet owners look for in a house?
According to the same survey, when pet parents were asked what top features they looked for in a home, they responded:
- Large yard – 38%
- Outdoor space – 29%
- Garage – 24%
- Dog run – 22%
- Large Square footage – 20%
- Dog run – 22%
House Hunting with your pet in mind
If you are looking in an area with a Homeowner’s Association or Condo Association, be sure to check the rules regarding the number of animals, fencing regulations and occasionally there are even limits on the types of animals such as certain breeds of dogs. Backyard chickens are gaining in popularity, but are still illegal in many places.
If you are looking rural, be sure to check with the municipality too….is the area incorporated, what types of animals are allowed, is Ag Zoning an option, etc?
What about selling a house when you have pets?
Have a mudroom? Large fenced yard? No carpet? Pet friendly neighborhood? Emphasize these areas when you sell your home. Make sure potential buyers know your house is pet friendly, but be sure it’s not because of the odor or fur balls on the floor. It’s okay to leave leashes in sight, but do your best to remove objects with potential odors. Your pet’s smell may not be noticeable to you, but it may be offensive to potential buyers (especially if they are not pet owners). Just don’t overdo it with air fresheners and create a new problem.
Even when marketing towards pet lovers, it is still best to take your pets with you when there is a showing at your home. I have very vivid memories of the kids and the dogs packed in our car looking for something to do while potential buyers looked at our home.
As part of your exit strategy before leaving, take the extra time to remove the animals and then give the house one last sweep or vacuum and check for odors. Keeping a storage crate by the door for last minute things to remove and throw in your car or garage helps too.