Pets are a major consideration for both home buyers and renters with a new survey showing 81 percent of respondents say animal-related considerations play a major role when deciding on their next housing situation.
According to the survey, 99 percent of pet owners said they consider their animal part of the family, and this becomes apparent in the sacrifices pet owners are willing to make when it comes to buying, selling and renting homes or apartments, according to a release from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Many also find it difficult to find rental housing for themselves and their animals.
Some of the findings:
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- 61% of U.S. households have an animal or plan to get one in the future.
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- 99% of owners feel that their animal is part of the family.
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- 89% of those surveyed said they would not give up their animal because of housing restrictions or limitations
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- When finding a home, 95% of animal owners believe it is important that a housing community allows animals.
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- 81% of U.S. households say that animal-related considerations will play a role in deciding on their next living situation.
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- 61% who own animals say it’s very difficult or difficult to find a rental property or a home owner association that accommodates animals.
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- 12% of pet owners have moved to accommodate their animal
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- 19% said that they would consider moving to accommodate their animal in the future.
“In 2016, 61 percent of U.S. households either have a pet or plan to get one in the future, so it is important to understand the unique needs and wants of animal owners when it comes to homeownership,” NAR President William E. Brown said in the release about the study Animal House: Remodeling Impact.
Brown, a Realtor from Alamo, California and founder of Investment Properties, said in the release, “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.”
Renters And Buyers Find It Difficult To Find Rental Properties For Pets
Realtors who were surveyed indicated that one-third of their pet-owning clients often or very often will refuse to make an offer on a home because it is not ideal for their animal. And 61 percent of buyers find it difficult or very difficult to locate a rental property or a homeowners association that accommodates animals.
When it comes to selling, 67 percent of Realtors say animals have a moderate to major effect on selling a home. Approximately two-thirds of Realtors say that they advise animal owning sellers to always replace things in the home damaged by an animal, have the home cleaned to remove any animal scents and to take animals out of the home during an open house or showing.
Nearly half of all survey respondents, 52 percent, indicated that they had completed a home renovation project specifically to accommodate their animal. Of those who undertook projects:
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- 23 percent built a fence around their yard
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- 12 percent added a dog door
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- 10 percent installed laminate flooring.
When it comes to the enjoyment homeowners gain from these projects, fencing in a yard and installing laminated floors rated highest, both receiving Joy Scores of 9.4; Joy Scores range between 1 and 10, and higher figures indicate greater joy from the project. Adding a dog door came in a close second with a Joy Score of 9.2.
A majority of surveyed animal owners, 83 percent, indicated that they own a dog, which helps explain the overwhelming popularity of dog-related renovation projects. Forty-three percent of those surveyed said they own a cat, 9 percent own a bird, reptile, amphibian, arthropod, small mammal, or miniature horse, 8 percent a fish and 5 percent own a farm animal.
NAR members were also surveyed about their relationships with animals, with 80 percent of Realtors consider themselves animal lovers and 68 percent indicating that they have pets of their own. Twelve percent of Realtors® surveyed volunteer for an organization that helps animals, and 21 percent plan to volunteer in the future.
About NAR:
For more home improvement ideas and solutions, visit www.Houselogic.com or join the pet-friendly conversation on social media using the hashtag #realtorpets.
The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
Pet Resources:
When Home Buying, Selling and Renovating, it’s an Animal House
Remodeling Impact: Animals in Homes
National Association of Realtors
7 Questions Landlords Have About Pets And Pet-Friendly Apartments
Increasing Housing Options For Renters With Pets
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