4 Things Pet Owners Consider When Buying a Home

Gone are the days when dogs are simply a man’s best friend. Many people treat them as a part of the family (along with other pets) and, in fact, consider their welfare when buying a home, too. A recent survey by Realtor.com revealed that almost 95% of pet owners purchase homes with their furry friends in mind.

The American Pet Products Association data shows that Americans spent $103.6 billion on their pets in 2020. This includes food, toys, and veterinary care alone. Another report from Petco estimates that during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, over 3 million new pets entered U.S. homes.

Therefore, with the significance of pets in many people’s lives, if you’re a home seller, it’s important to ask potential buyers if they have a pet. This can help you if you can insert some pet-related factors they may consider when buying a home, such as the following:

• Pet-friendly neighborhood

Raising a pet in a pet-friendly environment can lead to their healthy well-being and yours. A great indicator of a pet-friendly neighborhood is the existence of other pets in the neighbors’ homes. A community with a pet-savvy population will adjust to having nearby trails and sidewalks for when you want to take your dog off its leash on walks.

A park where pets can roam around, run, and play is a great sign of a pet-friendly neighborhood since walking only on pavement can hurt some animals’ paws and even their joints in the long run. Therefore, if the property you’re selling has a park, be sure to highlight it when speaking with potential buyers.

A community not near a busy street or a highway is an excellent choice for raising pets because active animals like to roam around and play. Living in a less busy community lessens the risk of getting into an accident.

Another great indicator of a pet-friendly neighborhood is having establishments that allow pets inside or having a dedicated area where you can leave your pet while you conduct business with them. Pet-friendly communities have rules, regulations, and restrictions every homeowner is expected to abide by. It can also be helpful to ask whether the homeowners’ association restricts the number or type of pets in the area so you can inform the buyer beforehand.

• Proximity to veterinary services

Knowing the home is just a quick drive to the vet offers pet owners considerable piece of mind. An area or community near other pet amenities is also a plus, like a doggy daycare, a pet shop where you can buy treats and toys, a grooming center, or parks where you can walk and play with your pet.

Having a go-to vet for your pet also provides immense comfort because a part of responsible pet ownership has a trusted professional with whom they can entrust their pets in times of emergency.

• Pet-friendly features within the property

Did you know that pet owners are more likely to spend more on homes with pet-friendly features? Statistics show that almost half of the pet owners on the hunt for a new property said they prioritize a fenced-in backyard in home searching. This makes perfect sense as life at home should feel comfortable, safe, and at ease, and this doesn’t only apply to humans but also the family’s furry members.

Fenced-in yards provide a great outdoor space for your pets without needing a leash or supervision. Fencing your backyard can be costly, so it saves a lot of money if the new home already has a fence installed.

Home spaces designated explicitly for pets, like an area in the backyard where they can place a doghouse, a doggy door, or a portion of the living room where a cat’s scratching pad or an aquarium can be placed, are just among the attractive features that can help home sellers seal the deal. Adding additional storage areas where homeowners can keep their pet paraphernalia also makes a great selling point.

• Pet-friendly floor plan

When you have pets, your home’s flooring undergoes a lot of wear and tear between their claws, fur, and playful running. This is also why for pet owners, tiled flooring is undoubtedly better than carpeted one because it’s easier to clean and maintain. Carpets tend to harbor pet stains and smells and are harder and costlier to clean. If you want flooring that looks like wood, the best option is to use vinyl flooring. Vinyl tiles and sheets are as pet-friendly as they can get– highly durable, long-lasting, and resistant to moisture, scratches, and dents. They are also easy to install, clean, and affordable.

A house with steep stairs may be hard for senior homeowners, but it could also be challenging for four or two-legged friends who have joint problems or are already old. A garden or backyard with a faucet is also a great feature, especially during bath time for their pets.

Parting Thoughts

Pets are a great addition to any family, but pet ownership comes with immense responsibility. 67% of American households own at least one kind of pet, so it’s also worth noting when evaluating the type of potential buyer you’re dealing with.

Millennials are leading the pack in pet ownership, and they are also the generation driving real estate, so it should be no surprise that their pets are part of the considerations when finding their dream property.

Finally, if you’re a home seller who wants to sell your property as soon as possible, you can receive a fast cash offer by selling your house to Shorefront Investments, a real estate investor in the U.S. They don’t ask for commissions and don’t require repairs or refurbishments in properties. All you have to do is fill out a form or call them at (850) 713-4866. From there, a representative will reach out to you, schedule a viewing at your property, and proceed with the cash offer. Deals can be closed within one to two weeks. Investment properties are also available at reasonable costs.