How Pets Factor into Home Buying & Selling

A home purchase can be one of the largest a household makes. A number of factors must be considered throughout the home buying and selling process, including all members of the household, even pets.

This report from NAR analyzes REALTOR® recommendations and actions taken by home buyers and sellers to best accommodate their pets and present their homes in the best light, despite effects from their furry family members.

Did you know that 66% of U.S. households currently have a pet or plan to get one in the future? This shows that pets and their effects on a home, various belongings/toys, and accommodations must be considered for a majority of households.

What might surprise you is that 43 percent of households would be willing to move to better accommodate their pet(s). This lets us know that pets are definitely a priority among consumers. A small percentage, one percent, of recent home buyers said they were prompted to make their purchase by the desire for a better home for their pet(s).

When searching for a new home, consumers don’t only look for pet-friendly features within the home; 18 percent of recent home buyers said it was very important that their new neighborhood is convenient to a vet and/or outdoor space for their pet(s).

This is important to consider when marketing a home for sale as potential considerations from prospective buyers.

Pets also come into play when REALTORS® are advising in selling a home. The most common pet-related suggestion that your agent might make if you are selling a property is to take your pet out of the home for showings.

While you might love your pet and can overlook some minor damage they may have caused to your space, it’s important to consider this as well when listing your home. Eighty percent of REALTORS® recommend that their clients remove pets during showings when selling their home.

While they may not be the top priority for home buyers and sellers, pets are an important part of the lives of many consumers, and when we share our homes with them, they must be considered.

via NAR Animal House: Pets in the Home Buying and Selling Process