desire to have a better space or yard for a dog influenced their decision to buy the home, according to a survey conducted online by Harris Poll, on behalf of SunTrust Mortgage. Dogs ranked among the top three motivators for first-time homebuyers and were cited by more millennials than marriage/ upcoming marriage (25%) or the birth/expected birth of a child (19%). The neighborhood where you’re going to buy a house must have no restrictions on pets or livestock, if that’s something you desire. Do you raise American Staffordshire Terriers, also commonly referred to as pit bulls? Some neighborhoods 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 opt for wood or other hard flooring, as they prefer to avoid potential pet damage or unpleasant odors. An appropriately sized fenced backyard is on the “needs” list for many pet-owning house buyers. Consider the arrangement of rooms and the house's structure to ensure it’s suitable for your pets as well. Traffic in the area could be another item to check on the checklist. Pet services, such as veterinary care, grooming, and exercise, should be conveniently located nearby.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
You must limit your search to a neighborhood that offers the closest possible match to the kind of lifestyle you like and want to live. In addition, based on the 2021 NAR Generational Trends Report, 62% of homebuyers ages 22-95 prioritized the quality of the neighborhood as a reason for purchasing a house and the 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 forgo a pool, 55% would sacrifice a finished basement, and 33% would settle for less square footage.
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