Some home buyers are seeking their pets’ feedback as they tour homes for sale. Twenty percent of 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed by Ally Home in April said they bring their pets to look at homes. Women are more likely to bring their pet with them on a house hunt than men—24% versus 15%, respectively.
“Purchasing a home is one of the most significant investments most Americans will make in their lives, so it makes sense that we want our four-legged friends to feel at home,” said Glenn Brunker, president of Ally Home.
Indeed, a survey conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® in 2020 found that 43% of households would be willing to move to better accommodate their pet.
In Ally Home’s survey, nearly a quarter of respondents—24%—say that having a dedicated space for pets is a major consideration when organizing a home.
Millennials most commonly said that pets influence their home decisions—including not just choosing a home but making changes to a home for a pet, creating a dedicated space for the pet, or even buying a bigger bed to accommodate the pet.
Pets aren’t the only ones influencing home renovation projects, however. During the pandemic, more Americans have become more interested in remodeling. Thirty-one percent of women and 24% of men say they spend a lot of time fantasizing about renovations.
“The time spent at home helped us reevaluate what matters most in our living spaces,” Brunker said. “This awareness helps first-time home buyers more confidently navigate today’s competitive real estate landscape to find a home that fits their lifestyle.”