Characteristics of a home for an animal-loving

There are families looking for a family home, but for a special family, large family, with six dogs. Families that do not have children, and that do not want to have children, since they consider their pets part of the family.

There are many home buyers who base their purchase on the needs of their pets. A realtor.comยฎ online survey found 75% of pet-owning buyers who closed on a home this year would pass on their dream house if it weren't right for their pets. Among the respondents, 87% said they took their petsย€ย™ needs into account when buying a home.

This home buyer even selected his real estate agent for his pet-friendly attitude: he had worked with several volunteers at a local animal shelter.

There are many agents who know what pet owners are looking for in a home. When they see a house they know it would be perfect for their dog owning customers. Not only should they have a large yard that can be easily fenced, but they should also have a hallway from the back deck, so that the dogs can enter the house cleaner.

Pets are part of the family, so spaces are also necessary for them.

In a survey conducted by Harris Research for realtor.com, 80% owned pets, the majority (64%) owned dogs, 41% owned cats, 12% owned birds and 11% owned fish. This survey was conducted by more than a 1,000 people who closed the purchase of a home this year.

Ninety percent of dog owners were more likely to say their pets' needs were important or very important in their home search.

Dogs are man's best friend. It's not terribly surprising that when pet owners are buying a home, their best friends get what they want. If a household does not take into account the needs of their pets, those needs are non-negotiable for a lot of home buyers.

When asked to rank the important features, almost half (45%) of the home buyers choose a large yard, more than a third (36%) picked outdoor space, and a third (33%) wanted a garage.

Most buyers say that a large backyard is one of the first items on their list of essentials. Not only do they want their dogs to enjoy a space to play, they also want their home to be far enough from their neighbors, so that barking is not a nuisance to others.

A characteristic of which the dogs are probably not interested are the wooden floors, but they are necessary as a cleaning purpose, since they can easily destroy the carpets.

The survey found that buyers of younger homes with pets were more likely to leave their dream homes if they did not meet their animal-centered needs. Seventy-nine percent of pet buyers between the ages of 18 and 34 would not buy their ideal home if they did not meet their criteria, while 77% of those between 35 and 54 would not buy. Buyers of older homes with pets were less demanding.

If you have dogs, cats or other pets in your family, you will want to consider your needs when you are looking to buy a house. Your furry roommates may seem carefree, but certain homes and neighborhoods are friendlier to pets than others.

Here are four questions you should keep in mind to find the perfect place where you and your pets can live in peace and happiness.

1. What are the local pet laws?

Even if you own a property, it is not guaranteed that your pets are welcome there. Depending on the number and race, there may be restrictions within a HOA, condominium development or even the city or state in general.

It is necessary to verify if your city and state has specific laws of each breed and the limits of the number of animals per household. For example, Bozeman requires a kennel license if you have more than two dogs.

Some tips and detailed information:

  • Some HOA developments restrict the number or type of pets you may have, or explain how your pet should be restricted in common areas.
  • In condominium developments, there is often a limit on the number of dogs allowed. It is very important not to assume that dogs are allowed because you saw one during your tour. In many cases they are only allowed on the first floor or in final units.
  • If your dog has a tendency to bark a lot, you should find out if your HOA or city has legislation against noise and if it affects you.

2. What about the yard?

Having a garden where pets can walk is surprising, but keep in mind that if you want to keep your pets indoors (or other creatures), you will need to have a fence, or build one. Once again, check your HOA or condo agreements on this front.

Since there may be an agreement that only allow underground electric fences, size restrictions or allowed materials for kennels or outdoor dogs, and most neighborhood conventions prohibit animals in the wild, so if you're looking for an environment where your pet can run, it is worth giving them a careful reading.

3. Is the neighborhood good for pets?

With dogs, finding a place that is good for long walks is the key. Like, for example, near a park, where a dog can run, a path or other green space. But even if the green landscape does not matter, think about the sidewalk situation for the daily walks for the dog to relieve themselves.

Cat of millennials home buyers

Be careful when choosing a location on a busy road or highway for dogs that go out frequently or cats that like to go out for a walk frequently since car traffic can be a potential danger. Cat owners should also think about the local wildlife. In some areas, proximity to a green space means being closer to coyotes and foxes are a threat to them.

4. Can your pet handle the stairs?

If you are looking for a multi-storey house, consider whether your pets can climb the stairs without problems, especially as they get older.

One example is that when dogs grow up, they can have joint problems that make it difficult for them to climb the steps, explains Gartner. Like its owners!

If you choose a multi-level house, look for a place that has carpets on the stairs or get ready to install them.