Pet Friendly Home Buyer
Pet Friendly Home Buyer
When shopping for a new home you take everyone in your family into consideration—hence the need to have multiple bathrooms. Many buyers include their pets needs when making a list of wants and needs in their new home. In fact, I’ve heard it said that millennials (who make up a good portion of home shoppers) are more likely to buy a home with a pet in mind, where as in the past, many home shoppers would buy with the intent to have children. Let’s look at some ways to make your home more marketable to these pet friendly home buyers!1: Is your community suitable for pets?
If your neighborhood seems to be very pet friendly, highlight that; mention that the sidewalks are perfect for afternoon dog walks and give directions to the nearby dog park. Some HOA’s or condo associations put limits on the number of pets, enforce strict noise ordinances, or even prohibit certain breeds. If these items don’t apply to you, you may be able to appeal to buyers with multiple or large pet breeds.
2: What is the story on fencing?
For many pet owners they are concerned not only with keeping their pets close to home and contained in their own yard but also keeping other critters out. A fence is the best way to do this. If you have a fence, highlight that in the listing. If you don’t have a fenced yard, check with your HOA to see if they are allowed. Your future buyer will appreciate your research and by doing so you may just alleviate his/her concern about the lack of fencing.
3: Pet friendly floors
Often pet friendly buyers are going to be concerned about the flooring selection in your home. It makes sense, pets have claws which can scratch up flooring. However, if your home already has reclaimed or distressed wood floors, they can rest easy because the pet scratches will just add to the character of the floors! If this doesn’t ease their concerns, reassure them that the floors can be refinished and sealed to remove and prevent scratches in the future.
If you are a pet friendly home buyer yourself, these items are certainly worth considering when looking for a home of your own! To learn more about the home buying process including tips on financing, check out our webpage dedicated to just that!