More than two-thirds of prospective buyers
with pets say they'd buy a home specifically because of
features that cater toward their pet
SANTA
CLARA, Calif., Dec. 12,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- From adding "catios" to
foregoing a home that's not pet-friendly, many homeowners and
buyers are prioritizing their furry friends when making pivotal
real estate decisions. According to a new survey conducted by
Realtor.com® and HarrisX among 3,001 U.S.
adults, 82% of Americans with pets who are planning to buy a
home within the next year consider their pets' needs just as
important, if not more so, than their own needs or those of their
family.
More than three-quarters (77%) of U.S. homeowners have a pet at
home, and 79% of pet owners say they factored their pet in when
choosing which home or apartment to live in. Pet owners looking to
buy a house this year are prioritizing their pets even more, with
91% saying they'll be a factor in their decision.
"People love their pets. And they're prioritizing the needs of
these furry members of their families when choosing a home to rent
or buy," said Clare Trapasso,
executive editor at Realtor.com®. "Having an
animal-accessible home is more important to many pet owners than
extra square footage or a shorter commute to work."
Buyers are saying, "No Pet, No Deal."
Many
prospective homebuyers have decided to abandon their
buying process completely if they do not find a home to accommodate
their pets.
- Almost three-quarters (72%) of prospective buyers with pets
admit that they would forgo buying their dream home if it didn't
accommodate their pets, while 62% of current homeowners with pets
say they would.
- Sixty-six percent of prospective buyers with pets have declined
to live in an otherwise perfect home because it couldn't
accommodate their pets; and 44% of homeowners with pets say they
would decline to live in an otherwise perfect home if it didn't
accommodate their pets.
Pets take priority over extra space, a short commute, and
more.
Some homebuyers are willing to
adjust their search – and give up sought-after amenities – in order
to prioritize their pets.
- About one third of pet owners planning to buy would give up a
bonus room (37%) or extra bedroom (33%) – to be able to afford
more/better space for their pet. Nearly one quarter would even give
up a shorter commute (23%), an extra bathroom (22%) or an office
(21%).
- Two-thirds (67%) of prospective buyers with pets say they'd buy
a home specifically because of features that cater toward their
pet, while almost half (49%) of current homeowners with pets would
do so.
- Eighty-seven percent of those with pets looking to buy a house
within the next year say they are factoring their pet in when
choosing which neighborhood to live in, and more than two-thirds
(70%) of current homeowners say they would factor in their pet when
choosing a new neighborhood.
Homeowners making "purr-fect" spaces with catios, dog doors
and fenced-in yards.
In some cases, homeowners have
decided to take measures into their own hands by adding
pet-friendly features, such as patios, dog doors and fenced-in
yards, to their space.
- More than two thirds (69%) of pet owners looking to buy a home
within a year say they would build or install special pet features
in their home, and half (51%) of current homeowners with pets have
built these features. The #1 feature in both groups: a dog
door.
- Of the homeowners who have built special pet features in their
home, about two in five (39%) fenced in their yard, 32% built a
horse barn/facility, or installed a climbing post (32%); 28%
installed a dog shower/bath station, 22% added a dog run in their
yard, and 21% built a "catio."
Anyone looking for a pet-friendly rental can check out the
"pets" filter on realtor.com/rentals which can help you search for
homes that will accept furry family members.
Methodology: This survey was conducted online within the
U.S. from Aug. 9-12, 2022 among 3,001
adults by HarrisX. The sampling margin of error of this poll is
plus or minus 1.8 percentage points. The results reflect a
nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Results were
weighted for age by gender, region, race/ethnicity, and income
where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in the
population.
About
Realtor.com®
Realtor.com®
is an open real estate marketplace built for everyone.
Realtor.com® pioneered the world of digital
real estate more than 25 years ago. Today, through its website and
mobile apps, Realtor.com® is a trusted
guide for consumers, empowering more people to find their way home
by breaking down barriers, helping them make the right connections,
and creating confidence through expert insights and guidance. For
professionals, Realtor.com® is a trusted
partner for business growth, offering consumer connections and
branding solutions that help them succeed in today's on-demand
world. Realtor.com® is operated by News
Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA]
[ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary
Move, Inc. For more information, visit
Realtor.com®.
Media Contact
press@realtor.com
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SOURCE Realtor.com