The Pet Lover’s Guide to Buying a Home: 6 Things You Might Miss

On October 23, 2017   /   Home Buying  
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pet lovers guide

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.

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Cheat Sheet: Check These 9 Things to Prevent Home Buyer’s Remorse

On December 26, 2016   /   Home Buying  
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prevent buyers remorse

By: Jamie Wiebe

Any home buyer understands the generic “before you buy” to-do list: Check out the schools. Knock on your future neighbors’ doors. Get an inspection. Stop by at night.

But in order to truly do your due diligence, you have to get even more proactive—and sometimes just a bit nosy. We know your pile of home-buying homework is huge, and you don’t want to add more to your to-do list. But the payoff of all this extra sniffing around can be truly substantial.Trust us on this one, OK?

Here are nine things that home buyers often forget to check that can cause massive headaches—and costly expenses—down the line.

1. Property lines

Skipping the property survey might seem like an easy decision. Surveys can be pricey and seemingly unnecessary—hey, the fence has stood for years, so it must be in the correct place. Right? But the thing about property line disputes is that they can crop up at the most inconvenient times—and you don’t want to be caught off guard when they do.

Maybe you loved the winding, tree-lined driveway. “But until you had a survey done, you had no idea the driveway crossed over the neighbor’s lawn,” says Lindy Gelb, a Realtor® with Berkshire Hathaway PenFed Realty in Bethesda, MD.

That means any improvements you want to make might be impossible, or you might end up in a drawn-out legal dispute with your neighbors. Pay for a survey beforehand to ensure none of your dream improvements will start a turf war.

2. Prior claims history

Previous owners might have ruined your chances of buying your dream home—and they might not even know it. A long history of insurance claims can render a home uninsurable, making it a risky purchase. (Or even an impossible one, depending on your lender.)

Even if previous claims aren’t severe enough to scare off the insurance agencies, your home’s history might indicate whether there will be repeated problems in the future, such as roof leaks, faulty plumbing, or flooding.

3. Pests

We’re not talking about annoying neighbors. And we’re not talking just about termites, either. Skipping the pest inspection when purchasing a home can come back to bite you in the bum. Literally.

“Even if the previous owners didn’t leave behind old furniture or mattresses, bedbugs can still survive in carpets or curtains,” says Alex Yakimavets, the owner of MattressVille in Ontario, Canada.

If you’re particularly concerned, you can make your offer conditional on an inspection, he adds. That way, you’re free to back out if any bloodsuckers pop up in the carpeting—or if you spot termites or carpenter ants chowing through your wood.

4. Detailed HOA information

If you’re a first-time home buyer, you might be terrified by the seemingly evil HOA. But a homeowners association isn’t necessarily all that scary—as long as you check it out first.

“Avoid known unknowns and do your homework,” says Robert Tankel, a lawyer who works with homeowners and condo associations in Dunedin, FL. “It will pay off by giving you comfort that there’s no huge due increase on the horizon.”

So how do you dig into your impenetrable HOA? Just ask! Try to acquire budgets, financial reports, and meeting minutes to get a full picture of your future association, Tankel recommends. Make sure your neighbors are paying their dues or that the HOA has enough funds for necessary upkeep and repairs. Otherwise, you might end up on the hook for a costly wake-up call after move-in.

5. Ghosts (and famous people)

Maybe it’s been years since the last time you Facebook-stalked an old high school fling—but it’s time to bring those skills back into use. Googling your potential address might seem obvious, but a deep dive into the results can turn up shocking surprises.

Like ghosts. Or celebrities. Or celebrity ghosts (even better)!

“See if the home has any history or fame behind it,” says Bianca Mitchell, a Realtor in Los Angeles. “Is it rumored to be haunted? Or did someone famous live there prior to you? This could save you the headache of tourists and fans visiting your home on a regular basis.”

6. Flood zones

Flood insurance can add thousands of dollars to your insurance bills, and flood plains aren’t always obvious to the untrained eye. Sure, there’s no creek in the backyard—but that doesn’t mean you’ll be dry when the rains come.

And if you’re on a tight budget, keep a close eye on the flood map. Typically, homeowners can’t elect to skip flood insurance if they’re in a hazard zone. Your insurance company (and possibly even your lender) might require it.

7. Master plan

If you’re buying in an older neighborhood stuffed with 50-year-old homes, what you see is probably what you’ll get. No new commercial areas planned, no new bus stops to expect. But for newer hoods, understanding the area’s master plan—the overview of nearby land use and future development—is key to determining if your home is a good deal or a terrible mistake. (Your city might also call this a “comprehensive plan.”)

“What if a new metro rail is planned to run across your front yard?” Gelb asks. “Before you ratify your contract to purchase, take time to know what is planned surrounding your neighborhood and your new home.”

8. Square footage

Take the home’s listed square footage with a grain of salt. It’s not that sellers are liars, but they might be basing the number from an off-base city assessment or a simple mathematical mistake.

“If your local MLS says a home is 2,000 square feet and it feels smaller to you, it might be in your best interest to get a second opinion,” Mitchell says.

That’s because inaccurate measurements aren’t just annoying. Square footage errors may also cause issues with your appraisal. Even if it’s off by only about 150 square feet, in a small space that could mean a big difference in price.

9. Crime

Don’t let pretty porches and well-kept lawns fool you: Checking out crime in the area is a must-do—and you should always dig deep.

For detailed criminal statistics, CrimeReports.com and SpotCrime provide extensive information on burglaries, auto thefts, and violent assaults that have occurred nearby. Check the National Sex Offender Database (or Family Watchdog) to see who’s living nearby.

One thing to keep in mind: Even the safest neighborhoods may have the occasional theft or aggravated assault. Make sure to consider results in aggregate.

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