Making Homes Pet Friendly

One of the most important parts of buying or selling a house is making sure it has features that are tailored to the trends influencing homeowners’ decisions. A major trend that’s on the rise in real estate is creating homes that are pet-friendly. There are 85 million U.S. households that have a pet, and 91% consider their pets to be a part of the family. With statistics like these, it’s easy to understand why homes with features like built-in doggie beds or “puppy cams” that cater to pet owners are growing in popularity. Here are some ideas to make sure the house you’re buying or selling is ready for any furry friends that might take up residence.

Install a doggy bath. One of the newest trends in pet-proofing homes is installing a dog washing station in garages and basements. There are some areas in a house where the plumbing might already be in place, such as a mudroom or laundry room. If this is the case, it’s easy for a plumber or contractor to install a shower basin and attach the fixtures. Then, it’s just a matter of tiling the small area and stocking it with some pet washing supplies like shampoo and a rubber mat so dogs don’t slip around on the soapy floor. Though this might seem indulgent, it can save pet owners quite a bit of the hassle and cleanup that comes with trying to wash a dog in a normal bath or shower.

Make sure animal lovers can tell that a home is pet-friendly. There are a couple of easy ways to indicate that four-legged companions are welcome in a home. Dog-lovers might look for a coatrack with leashes on it near the entry way or a mudroom with a full water bowl. Those with cats might find it appealing to see windows free from long curtains or intricate drapery that their feline friends might be tempted to climb. With just a few easy adjustments, any home can be made to look inviting to buyers with pets or those that may be looking to add a pet to their family in the future.

Create an outdoor area just for pets. One of the main struggles for pet owners is the havoc that furry companions can wreak on yards. If a house has a lot of outdoor space, it may be worthwhile to consider creating an area that’s purely for pets. One idea that could protect a well-maintained lawn from yellow spots? Installing a patch covered by smooth pebbles or gravel for your pets to do their business allows for easy cleanup with a hose and keeps green grass looking pristine. A mere suggestion of this option by your broker to a buyer or seller could sway a sale one way or another. After all, pets are important members of most families.

Install an invisible fence. Though this is one of the pricier options, there is no better way to appeal to families with curious, wandering dogs than an underground electric fence. It allows homeowners to make sure their pets are safe while avoiding the eyesore of more traditional fencing solutions. Invisible fencing also tends to be less expensive and generally requires less maintenance than any kind of wooden or metal fencing. It uses radio frequency to create a field around an insulated cable buried around the property limit, and pets wear a collar that is customized to provide a warning signal and then a gentle static correction whenever they exit the boundary. After learning the perimeter of the fence, pets will stay inside the limits and stop trying to escape from the yard when left outside alone. This allows owners the freedom to let their pets outside without having to constantly monitor them and gives them more time to enjoy their new house.

No matter what option homeowners choose, creating a pet-friendly environment is sure to draw in animal lovers who are looking for a place to call their own. By going the extra mile and showing off customized pet features, sellers can make homes that much more appealing and can give them the final push they need to get off the market.