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About 70% of American households share a home with at least one pet, mostly cats and dogs. Recent consumer studies show that a household’s furry friends have a lot to say in real estate decisions.
Americans are willing to move to better accommodate their 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® on pets' involvement in the home buying and selling process.
A recent Homes.com survey attests to that. Of 1,600 homeowners surveyed, 68% of respondents who weren’t already living in a pet-friendly home said they have moved for the sole purpose of accommodating their pets. Two-thirds indicated they moved from renting to homeownership specifically to either get a pet or keep their current pet happy, the survey shows.
Also, Americans say they’ll pass on a home if it doesn’t measure up to their pet’s needs. One in five home buyer respondents said they rejected a home for pet-related reasons, the Homes.com survey shows.
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, the Homes.com survey shows.
In a realtor.com® survey of 2,000 consumers conducted last year, 68% of pet owners said they would pass on the perfect home if it didn’t meet their pet’s needs—even amid tight housing inventories. Pet owners favored homes with large yards and outdoor space as well as a garage, dog run, and large square footage for their pets.