It’s essential that the neighborhood in which you’re going to buy a house has no restrictions on pets — or livestock, if that’s something you desire. Do you raise American Staffordshire Terriers, also known as pit bulls? There are neighborhoods that ban this breed. What about goats? Vietnamese pigs? Have you always wanted fresh eggs from your own chickens? Include your animals in location planning. Some pet owners choose wood or other hard flooring, not wanting to risk pet damage or odors. An appropriate-sized fenced backyard is on the “needs” list for many pet-owning house buyers. Consider the arrangement of rooms and the structure of the house to ensure it’s suitable for your pets, too. Traffic in the area could be another checklist item. Pet services, such as veterinary, grooming, and exercising, should be conveniently nearby.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
You must make sure to limit your search to a neighborhood that offers the closest possible match to the kind of lifestyle that you like and want to live. In addition, based on the 2021 NAR Generational Trends Report, 62% of homebuyers ages 22-95 years old prioritized the quality of the neighborhood as a reason for purchasing a house and primary reason for neighborhood choice. Location is so important that people are willing to give up “must- have” features to buy into their desired neighborhood — 72% would forget about a pool, 55% would lose a finished basement, and 33% would accept less square footage. What matters is living in a safe place with good schools. According to Trulia, 69% would drive through the neighborhood
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