Economists' Outlook

Housing stats and analysis from NAR's research experts.

Home Renovations to Accommodate Family Animals

For homeowners, animals are part of the family according to 99 percent of animal owners that NAR surveyed in its new report Remodeling Impact: Animal House. Nevertheless, finding a rental property or a home owners association that accommodates animals, according to 61 percent of REALTORS®, can be difficult.

Nearly half of all animal owners have undertaken a home renovation project to accommodate their family animals (52 percent), and owners feel a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. The overall Joy Score for home renovations for animals was 9.4.

The most popular animal renovation projects were building a fenced yard (23 percent), adding a doggy door (12 percent), and installing laminate flooring (10 percent). All three projects received a Joy Score of 9.2 or higher once completed. Three-fourths of animal owners feel that constructing a fenced yard (78 percent) and adding laminate flooring (76 percent) are important to the home for their animals. Other renovation projects include installing a mudroom or animal washing station, animal pool/water feature, kitty litter closet, and doggy door.

Of the owners that completed a renovation project, 44 percent hired a professional to do their project and 56 percent did a renovation themselves. Those that hired a professional had a greater sense of satisfaction (65 percent) than those that completed one themselves (61 percent). Those that completed a project themselves had a greater sense of accomplishment (58 percent) than those that hired a professional (52 percent).

reno

As income goes up, the percent of animal owners that completed a home renovation for their animal increases. In addition, as income goes up, so does the share that hired a professional to complete their home renovation project compared to those that completed a project themselves.

Single males were more likely to renovate to accommodate an animal than single females. Married and unmarried couples equally renovated at a similar rate. More than two-thirds of single males completed a project themselves compared to only half of single females instead of hiring a professional. Married couples were more likely than unmarried couples to hire a professional.

 

Notice: The information on this page may not be current. The archive is a collection of content previously published on one or more NAR web properties. Archive pages are not updated and may no longer be accurate. Users must independently verify the accuracy and currency of the information found here. The National Association of REALTORS® disclaims all liability for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information or data found on this page.

Advertisement