Why Pet-Friendly Homes Are in High Demand
One of the many benefits of owning your own home is the freedom to find your ‘furever’ friend. By pointing out the aspects of your home that make it ‘pet-friendly’ in your listing, you’ll attract these buyers, rather than alienating the 68% of American households that have a pet!
If you are one of the many homeowners looking to list your home for sale, how do you stand out to the millions of pet parents searching for their dream home?
Whether a dog person, a cat person, or someone who prefers the company of another pet species, 99% of pet owners say that they consider their animal to be family. When finding a home, 95% of animal owners believe it is important that a housing community allows animals.
A study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed that there are many aspects of the home buying, selling and owning experience that have been greatly impacted by our love for our pets.
This should come as no surprise, as $72 billion was spent on pets in the U.S in 2018. NAR’s President William E. Brown shed some light on the impact of pet owners and their home search.
“It is important to understand the unique needs and wants of animal owners when it comes to homeownership. REALTORS® understand that when someone buys a home, they are buying it with the needs of their whole family in mind; ask pet owners, and they will enthusiastically agree that their animals are part of their family.”
The Power of Pets When Choosing the Right Home
- 89% of pet owners say they would not give up their pet due to a housing restriction
- 81% of Americans say their pets play a role in their housing situation
- 31% of animal owners have refused to put in an offer on a home because it wasn’t a good fit for their animals
- 19% of Americans say they would consider moving for their pet
- 12% percent have moved for their pet
New home builders have actually begun installing retractable pet gates that tuck away neatly inside door jams as a highly requested feature in new homes to attract pet-parents.
So, if you are a homeowner looking to sell in today’s pet-friendly environment, point out the features of your home that will attract pet owners:
- Fully fenced in backyard – (91% of pet owners ranked this as the most important feature of a home to accommodate their pet)
- Locations of dog parks/walking paths/pet-friendly beaches in the area (71% ranked this as the top feature of any neighborhood they would consider)
- Proximity to veterinarians/groomers/pet supply stores (31%)
Bottom Line
Americans love their pets and will look for pet-friendly features in the home they wish to buy, so take advantage of this knowledge by pointing out your home’s ability to meet their needs.
Steps to Take Between Mortgage Closing and Moving Day
After closing on your mortgage, follow this checklist to prepare for moving into your new home. Change your address with the Post Office and update utilities. Review your inspection report for necessary repairs and create a maintenance schedule. Deep clean your new...
Guide for First-Time Homebuyers
Buying your first house can be both exciting and overwhelming. Resources are available to empower you with the knowledge needed for homeownership. You can save up to $1,250, and if you find lower costs elsewhere, there are incentives. Local experts are available to...
Housing Market Predictions 2025
In 2025, the housing market shows slow stabilization with mortgage rates declining from near 7%, boosting buyer interest. Home sales remain sluggish but may rise 6% by year-end, while prices continue modest growth due to limited supply. Inventory has increased,...
What Mortgage Rate Will Get Buyers Moving?
A 6% mortgage rate could make homes affordable for 5.5 million more households, potentially unlocking major buying activity across key U.S. metro areas. NAR forecasts rates falling to 6% by 2026, possibly increasing home sales 14%. Current high rates and inventory...
Homeowner Equity Grows Even as Home Prices Dip
After 3 quarters of slipping, equity-rich homes finally ticked up in Q2 2025. ~50% of U.S. homes with mortgages are now equity-rich. Equity-rich = owing less than 50% of your home’s value. In just one quarter, equity-rich homes jumped from 46.2% to 47.4% nationwide....
Is a 31% Boom in Home Prices Possible by 2029?
US home prices ↑ 19.8% cumulatively from 2025 to 2029, averaging ↑ 3.7% annual growth. Annual growth accelerates to ↑ 10.8% by 2027, then reaches ↑ 19.8% cumulative increase in 2029. Optimistic forecasts predict up to ↑ 31% total growth by 2029, pessimistic as low as...
Happy Labor Day
Happy Labor Day! Labor Day is a day dedicated to honoring the contributions and achievements of workers and the labor movement. It marks summer's informal end in the U.S., as schools often start after the holiday. It offers a chance to ponder the historical...
8 Tips For First-Time Homebuyers
First-time homebuyers should follow eight essential steps: assess debt and ensure a manageable debt-to-income ratio, check and correct credit score errors, review budget for additional costs, determine down payment, get preapproved for a mortgage, identify desired...
2.25% Fed Rate: Coming by 2027?
Fed projects a 2% in rate cuts by end of 2027. Forecast: Fed funds rate to decline to 2.25%–2.50% by late 2027. Despite tariff-driven inflation bumps, slowing growth will push Fed to cut further. 10-year Treasury yield forecast to fall to 3.25% by 2028, down from 4.2%...
2025 Housing Forecast: Housing Prices up 3%
The experts forecast a 3% national housing price increase in 2025 due to limited supply. High mortgage rates discourage homeowners from selling, keeping supply low and supporting price stability.