It should come as no surprise homebuyers have a list of must-haves when searching for their dream property. But did you know homebuyers love for their pets influence their home shopping decisions?
In fact, according to a recent realtor.com survey, almost 95% of homebuyers consider their pets when purchasing a home. Who would’ve thought their pets’ needs would dictate what house they purchased? Well, it does. In fact, 68% of pet owners said they wouldn’t buy a house if it didn’t accommodate their furry friends. And 43% of households would be willing to move to better accommodate their pets.
So what kinds of features are these pet owners looking for? Here are some things I have heard first hand from current buyers:
- Is the floorplan dog-friendly?
- No stairs for dog with problems?
- Is the wood going to get wrecked with scratches or is it light enough to hide the potential damage?
- Is there a fence in the backyard to keep pets safe and other animals from entering
- Is the neighborhood dog friendly?
- Does the HOA restrict the number or type of pets?
According to the survey, 67% of homebuyers looked for big backyards or some kind of outdoor space. When buyers do find a home that suits their pets needs over half of Americans say that the outdoor space is the most important amenity.
Being a pet owner myself, currently I have 2 mini huskies Roxie and Zara you often see here on Instagram and my Vlogs, pets are family and an important part of what makes a house a home. Sellers when you’re preparing your home for market take pet owner needs into consideration.
If you are looking at the option of selling a home in the San Francisco or Peninsula in the near future, please reach out to us.
