7 Tips to Buying a Pet-Friendly Home
Many baby boomers today have pets. We share our lives with pets for many reasons. They’re great company. They bring us comfort and joy, and they offer unconditional love and so much more. So, naturally, when it’s time to buy a place to live, looking for a pet-friendly home is a must for pet parents.
Pet-Friendly Real Estate Agent
Finding a great pet-friendly real estate agent in the area you’re looking to buy a home in is a really important consideration.
Someone who knows the communities as well as the pet restrictions will save you a lot of time and frustration – frustration of spending hours going through online portals only to find missing or incorrect information when it comes to pets.
It will also save you the frustration of going with a real estate agent who is your aunt’s cousin or your friend’s child but hasn’t a clue when it comes to knowing pet restrictions in different communities.
It may make a world of difference where you ultimately may end up buying a home.
Type of Home
Next, consider the type of home and possibly, community, you’re looking for.
Are you thinking of buying a condo? Single family house? A townhouse or possibly a villa?
Do you want an active adult 55+ community or an all-age community?
Lots of things to think about!
Pet Restrictions
Whatever type of home you decide on, make sure the building, community or subdivision is pet-friendly to your pets.
Many condos and communities have pet restrictions including size, weight limits, breed restrictions, number and type of pets you may own. These restrictions and rules can change at times.
Some cities and/or counties have pet restrictions, too. Find out what they are before you fall in love with a house.
Condos tend to be the most restrictive when it comes to pets. Will your furry friend be allowed to live there? Will you be allowed to walk your dog through the lobby to go outside, or will you have to use the basement, side entrance or garage to exit?
Do they have rules regarding vaccinations? This may be problematic if you have older dogs or you titer your dogs. Make sure to see a copy of the pet restrictions in writing prior to any deal.
Single family homes, townhouses and villas within communities may also have pet restrictions, but they’re usually easier than condos.
Regardless, if cats and dogs, or even birds or reptiles, are a part of your life, you must be aware of what’s allowed and what isn’t.
Fenced Yard
Do you want a yard for your dog? Must it be fenced? Check if the community allows fences; some do, some do not.
Can your pet do stairs? Can you do stairs? After all, we’re not as young as we used to be! If not, consider a single-story or ranch-type home. In some parts of the country, this is known as a villa.
Flooring
Flooring can always be changed, but if you just want to move in, check what type of flooring they have. You may want only tile, especially if you live in warm weather, or hardwood, if you live in colder climates.
Pet accidents can easily be cleaned up with tile. Scratches in hardwood can be removed. All things to think about.
Compromises
When it comes to pets and housing, I always say there are compromises. One may be flooring. And that may be okay if the house checks the rest of the boxes for you.
I personally have found that when it comes to pets, there are always compromises. Like the time I went to buy a condo at the beach only to be told they accept one dog up to 60 pounds. I said, “Great, I have two dogs with a total weight of 16 pounds,” at which time the building manager told me I could not move there! Crazy pet restrictions, but what could I do!?
Other Things to Look For
Are there veterinarians, pet hospitals, dog parks, dog beaches and pet stores near the home you’re looking at? Whatever is important to you and your furry friend is what you need to look for.
If you want to take your dog to doggie daycare, is there one nearby? If your dog loves to swim, is there a dog beach nearby?
Living with pets is a joy I wouldn’t trade for anything. But there are things to consider when contemplating a move. Don’t just jump; do the work!
You don’t want to buy a home only to find out the building or community welcomes you but not your furry friend.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Are you a baby boomer with pets? Are you planning a move in the near future? Do you have any questions that might help make your home purchase easier? Let’s talk about it!
I think you are probably talking about the US because here in UK, most people have a pet, especially dog or cat. If you choose a house on an estate, then you have to accept this. We have a cat and we live away from very busy roads and most of our neighbours have cats or dogs too. We are not over run by animals, but they are a part of life. Everybody here looks out for everybody else and there are websites to help when a dog escapes or cats go missing.
I am talking about the US, Lynne. I’m in Florida. Many people have dogs and cats here, too. And it’s the craziest thing that they put restrictions on what kind of dog you may have or how many animals you may have in many communities or what they may weigh.
It sounds lovely where you live! I have two dogs and they will always be a part of my life. If they told me my dogs couldn’t come to live, then I wouldn’t either!
Like you, we have websites and people who help when a dog or cat escapes or goes missing. I have even met a real pet detective!
I’m quite jealous you live in Florida! We love Florida. I should have added in my comment that dogs are not allowed to roam freely (unlike cats) and that you have to keep them on a lead when out walking. However, there are now fields you can rent with your dogs to allow them to run freely sometimes.
I’m very lucky to live here. I’m sure it’s beautiful where you are too, Lynne. That’s interesting that you can rent fields to allow your dogs to run freely sometimes. We have leash laws here, so dogs must be on a leash when out walking. We have dog parks with large fenced-in areas for both large and small dogs where they can run freely and play with other dogs.