Your furry friend is more than a pet, its family member. Many pet owners take their pets’ needs into consideration in all aspects of their lives and home buying is no exception. If you are in the process of house hunting or will be in the near future you may want to keep the following recommendations in mind.

HOA PET REGULATIONS

  • If the home or condo development you are interested in has a Homeowners Association (HOA), you should be aware of the pet restrictions. Many HOAs limit the number of pets that you can have in your dwelling. If you have more than the allowable number of pets, you might consider moving on to the next property on your list.
  • In addition, HOAs may have breed restrictions. Breeds such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Pitbull Terriers, among others may not be allowed to reside within the community, because they’re considered aggressive breeds. Bring this up with your realtor so he or she can add this to the filter when searching available listings.

 

OUTDOOR CONSIDERATIONS

  • Fencing and Yard Stipulations– Some HOA contracts prohibit electric fencing because a dog may still run through the boundary line making this an impractical barrier for your pet and your neighbors. HOA’s can stipulate the maximum height of an outdoor kennel and the size of a dog run or in some cases prohibit them all together.
  • Car Traffic– If your dog is prone to getting out of your yard, you should consider neighborhoods that are not situated on busy roads or by a highway. You’ll also want to take into consideration how close you are to a greenbelt where native wildlife can pose a risk for s pets.

 

INDOOR CONSIDERATIONS

  • Pet-friendly Flooring– Should you get wooden flooring or carpeting? From a dog’s perspective, the answer is most certainly carpet, since it’s padded and softer than wood floors. If you opt for carpeting, keep in mind that pet dander will accumulate and can trigger allergies.

 

SENIOR PETS & STAIRS

  • Animal lovers typically allow their pets to sleep with them in their beds. If your bedroom will be located upstairs and you have a senior dog that is not very mobile, perhaps a one-story house is a better option.
  • Maybe the house under consideration has a lovely patio but has steep steps leading down to the yard.  Senior dogs, especially those with arthritis, may find it difficult to climb. You will need to determine if a ramp will be needed.

Pets provide their owners with some much love and affection that it stands to reason we would want to make their lives as comfortable as possible. Buying a home is a huge commitment and for pet lovers, their four-legged friend’s needs are just as important.

If you would like to apply for a mortgage loan, AFFCU can help.