The Pet Owner's Guide to Buying a Home

Whether you have a pet as part of your family already or you're considering adopting one into your household, there is a lot to take into consideration when it comes to your home.

Owning a pet often comes with great responsibilities and care, but it's also extremely rewarding. Their companionship is even proven to provide health benefits to humans. Many people would go great lengths to ensure their best friend is happy and healthy at home. Some will even go to the extent of modifying or renovating existing rooms and spaces to meet (or exceed) their pet's needs.

If you have a furry (or scaly) best friend and are looking to move into a new home, here are some parameters you'll need to remember when planning out your home search requirements:

1. Flooring

Animals tend to make the occasional mess, so you'll likely want to keep flooring in mind from the start of your search. Carpeting usually isn't ideal for people with pets, although it can be hard to avoid! A few carpeted areas around the home usually isn't a cause for concern, but a completely carpeted home is another story!

Keep in mind that: Flooring can always be removed or replace, but that can be expensive and accidents do happen! If it's within your budget to replace flooring in a home you love, then that's great! Otherwise, you may want to consider easy-to-clean flooring like scratch-resistant Luxury Vinyl Planks.

2. Square Footage

This is especially important if you're downsizing. You're likely very accustomed to living within your current square footage, so you'll need to consider how much space you'll need to accommodate your entire family (pets included). Even if you are planning to move to a larger home, you may need to think of how you will gate-off certain areas of a home where your pet shouldn't roam.

3. Backyard 

Most dogs will need to go outside often. If you haven't had a backyard before, there are certain things you might not remember are important when looking at homes (for example, a fence)! If you plan on buying a home with a backyard, how will you ensure it's safe for your pet? Is there already a suitable fence in place? Will you install a fence? If so, you'll need to plan and budget to install a fence, which can be costly!

4. Location and Neighborhood

Does your pet need a lot of exercise? Then you'll likely need a home close to a dog park, hiking trails or sidewalks! Maybe that home you love is situated on a main road and, while the decision may be tough, you'll want to consider other options that works for your lifestyle and your pet's.

You'll also need to check for any restrictions in the neighborhood (like an HOA, or rental guidelines if you're planning to rent). Pet guidelines are usually highlighted pretty clearly, but it's always a good idea to double check! 

5. Proximity to Vet and Pet Services

This may seem obvious, but it's something that you might not be focused on when starting your home search. If you love your vet and aren't willing to switch, you'll want to make sure you are within a reasonable driving distance. Some animals aren't great passengers, so you'll want to keep that in mind, too! If they have a great groomer or attend daycare, be sure to check out the driving distance from your potential new dwelling.

If you need to move to a new area completely, you'll want to do some research when you have a pet. Facebook groups can be a great resource when looking for recommendations for local pet professionals and vets. Most towns have their own Facebook that residents actively participate in and offer advice. Google and other web services can also be a huge help! 

6. Bonus Features for Pets Within the Home

Of course, not everything we do for our pets is essential. (What fun would owning a pet be if we didn't pamper them to the fullest?!) So, maybe you want to consider homes with convenient or fun options for your pets!

For example, maybe you'd specifically love a Doggie Shower in your next home? (Spa day, anyone?) While a lot of homeowners are adding this feature into their homes, it's unlikely to be found naturally on the real estate market. So, you may want to consider a home that has space and plumbing features to make this possible after moving in.

Another cool feature that we've seen coming into popularity is built-in litter boxes. This is great for concealing your cat's litter box from guests, and can also help with managing foul smells.

There are many jawdropping new trends you can find on sites like Google, Pinterest and Instagram.

All in all, our pets are such an important part of our lives... and considering their needs in a home can be just as important as your own!

If you're looking for guidance in your new home search, give us a call at 856-264-8671 or e-mail Scott at Scott@zhomesrealestate.com! We can work together to devise a gameplan for your next move with your furry best friend in tow!