By: Audrey Ference
If you have dogs, cats, or other pets in your family, you’ll want to take their needs into account when you’re looking to buy a house. Yes, really. Your furry roommates might seem easygoing, but certain homes—and neighborhoods—are more pet-friendly than others.
Here are six questions to ask that often get overlooked; keep them in mind to find a place where you and your pets can live in peace.
1. What are the local pet laws?
Even if you own a piece of property, it’s not guaranteed that your pets will be welcome there. Depending on the number and the breed, there can be restrictions within an HOA, condo development, or even the city or state at large.
“Check your city and state for breed-specific laws and limits on the number of animals per home,” advises Amy Ference, a Realtor® in Bozeman, MT, and owner of two pit bull mixes. “For example, Bozeman requires a kennel license if you have more than two dogs.”
Some considerations:
- Some HOAs or condo developments restrict the number or type of pets you can have, or spell out how your pet must be restrained in common areas.
- In condo developments, there is often a limit on the number of dogs allowed per unit, or even per floor. “It’s important not to assume dogs are allowed because you saw one during your tour,” explains Ference. “Sometimes they are only allowed on the first floor, or in end units.”
- If you have a breed that tends to bark a lot (ruh-roh), find out if your HOA or city enforces any noise ordinances.
2. What’s up with the yard and fencing?
Having a yard where pets can roam is amazing, of course, but keep in mind that if you want to keep your pets in (or other critters out), you’ll have to have a fence—or build one. Yet again, check your HOA or condo covenants on this front.
“I’ve seen covenants that only allow underground electric fencing, restrictions on the size or materials allowed for outdoor kennels or dog runs, and most neighborhood covenants outlaw animals running at large, so if you’re looking for a country setting where Fido can run free, it pays to give those a careful read,” says Ference.
3. Is the neighborhood good for pets to roam?
With dogs, finding a location that’s good for walks is key. That might mean being close to a park, dog run, trail, or other green space. But even if your pup doesn’t mind the commute, think about the sidewalk situation for everyday bathroom walks.
“You want to find a place where you’re happy to walk,” says Ference. “In snowy climates, that also means places with sidewalks, or you’re stuck walking in the roadway—which is super dangerous—or trudging through snow, which is exhausting.”
Be careful about choosing a location right on a busy road or highway; for dogs that get out frequently (or cats that like to roam), car traffic is a danger. Cat owners should also think about the local wildlife. In some areas, proximity to a green space means being closer to coyotes and foxes, which like to snack on smaller critters.
4. Does the house have pet-friendly floors?
Pet-friendly flooring is a big issue. Flooring expert Debbie Gartner recommends solid hardwood since it can be refinished when it’s scratched, and suggests looking for very light or very dark wood, and triple-sealing it with high-grade polyurethane (use a water-based poly for light floors, and oil-based for dark).
If you’re putting in new flooring anyway, consider reclaimed or distressed wood so that the scratches just add more character. Other good flooring options include poured concrete, tile, luxury vinyl, or laminate.
So what’s not so great? Wall-to-wall carpet. “Carpeting is not great for resale value,” says Ference. Cats will claw it, dogs track in mud and dirt. Carpet also traps smells from accidents, stains easily, and collects pet hair. If your dog or cat (or hey, human family members) needs something softer underfoot, go with an area or throw rug, which can be cleaned or replaced.
5. Does the house have a pet-friendly floor plan?
Consider the size and layout of the home if you have a large dog, or several dogs.
“You’ll be pretty sick of your house in short order if you’re always tripping over the dog—trust me on this one,” Ference says.
Is the space big enough for your dog’s breed? Is there enough room for a cozy dog bed or cat tree? If you’re downsizing, you should take into account how a tighter space will stress your pet.
6. Can your pet handle the stairs?
If you’re looking at a multilevel home, consider whether your dogs will be OK with the stairs, particularly as they age.
“When dogs get older, they can get joint problems that make it difficult for them to do steps,” explains Gartner. Just like their owners!
If you do choose a multilevel home, look for a place that has a carpet runner on the stairs, or be ready to install one. “It’s the No. 1 request for people with dogs,” says Gartner.
