If you’re a pet parent, you know that your next home has to have enough space for your four-legged family member – but check out this list of four other things that pet parents have to consider when buying a home.
4 Things for Pet Parents to Consider When Buying a House
We all have our own lists of must-haves when we’re house-hunting, but don’t forget these four important features you may need if you’re buying a house when you have pets:
- Pet-friendly HOA or condo association rules
- Yards and fencing
- Pet-friendly floors
- Neighborhood walkability
Let’s take a closer look at each.
#1. Pet-friendly HOA or condo association rules
If you’re buying in a neighborhood that has a homeowners association, or if you’re buying a condo, you’ll have to make sure that the association will welcome your pets. It’s normal to have rules about pets (like what types of breeds and the number of pets you can keep in your home), but you’ll want to make sure that the rules are okay for you and your pet to live with.
#2. Yards and fencing
When you want to keep your pets in and other animals out, you’ll need a fence. If the house you’re looking at doesn’t already have one, it may be in your best interest to find out what you’ll have to do to install one. Sometimes HOAs are pretty restrictive on the types of fencing you can install. It’s also a good idea to find out what the HOA says about dog runs and leaving your pups outside for more than a few minutes – especially if you have a dog who loves to soak up the sun half the day.
#3. Pet-friendly floors
Pet-friendly flooring is a huge issue for many homebuyers. Hardwoods might be the best choice for you, or you might prefer things like tile, laminate or poured concrete. And while carpet can feel good under your feet, remember that it’s not great for resale value – especially if pets are scratching it, tracking in mud or leaving behind odors and hair.
#4. Neighborhood walkability
Neighborhood walkability might not be that important to you if you have cats, but with a dog, it could be one of the bigger factors in your decision. You need a place where you – and your pooch – will be happy to walk, so look for sidewalks or green spaces in the neighborhood. You might also want to make sure you’re close to a dog park, hiking trails or other spots.
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