Looking for the ‘Purr-fect’ Home? Buyers Consider Pets’ Needs
ORLANDO, Fla. – About 70% of American households share a home with at least one pet – mostly cats and dogs – and those furry family members have a lot to say in real estate decisions, according to consumer studies.
Americans are willing to move to accommodate a pet, and they’re on the hunt for more pet-friendly home features, according to a survey conducted last year by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) on pets’ involvement in the home buying and selling process.
A recent Homes.com survey backs up NAR’s findings. Of 1,600 homeowners surveyed, 68% of respondents who weren’t living in a pet-friendly home at one time said they moved for the sole purpose of accommodating their pets. For homebuyers, two-thirds moved from renting to owning specifically to either get a pet or keep a current pet happy.
Americans also say they’ll pass on a home if it doesn’t measure up to their pet’s needs. One in five homebuyer respondents said they rejected a home for pet-related reasons in the Homes.com survey.
Many pet-moving buyers say they’re looking for more space. They also want a secure fence, hardwood floors, plenty of yard space, a mudroom and proximity to parks and play areas.
In a realtor.com survey of 2,000 consumers last year, 68% of pet owners said they would pass on the perfect home if it didn’t meet their pet’s needs, even in the current market with less for-sale homes available.
Pet owners in the realtor.com survey also favored homes with large yards and outdoor space, as well as a garage, dog run and large square footage so their pets could run around, that survey found.
Florida Realtors® serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research, and legislative representation to more than 200,000 members in 51 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Newsroom website is available at floridarealtors.org/newsroom