It may come as no surprise that many people treat their pets like family. So, it makes sense to conclude that people buying a home are going to cater to what their family needs. In fact, the National Association of Realtors conducted a survey and found that 52 percent of homeowners take on projects that will benefit their pets. What are the most popular home improvement tasks? Read on to find out.
Landing in the number one spot: building a fenced area on the property for a pet. Yes, 23 percent of homeowners tackle this venture to ensure safety and provide enjoyment for their critter. Personally, I’ve taken this into consideration in my own yard where the fencing was deteriorated. For me, it was an item that needed to be resolved immediately so that my dog could not escape from the backyard. I’ve been out with countless buyers who have expressed the same concerns or noted that they would need to install fencing when none was present.
Twelve percent of homebuyers make it their mission to add a dog door. These doors can certainly add a convenience factor to the home for pets and homeowners alike. I’ve seen the eyes of buyers light up when they see a dog door that is the perfect size for the Fido in their family. Installing a dog door can be an easy task as well, for some people it is as simple as installing an insert panel in a sliding door. With a low cost and a high reward, it’s no wonder that this was the second most popular remodel project for pet owners.
The third most popular renovation for pet owners is putting in laminate flooring. Ten percent of homeowners spend time and money on this improvement to make their home more pet-friendly. Laminate flooring is known for being very durable, so it tends to scratch less easily, and it is also easier to keep clean when it comes to shedding and accidents. There are other good flooring options out there as well, but I’ve seen many pet owners steer clear from carpet.
If you are selling a home, here’s a statistic to take into consideration – approximately one third of homebuyers won’t even make an offer on a home that isn’t pet-friendly. So, while it may not apply to you, don’t exclude yourself from a third of the buyers out there. After all, you might need to win over Fido’s mommy or daddy to sell your home.
By Holly Schwartz McDonald
Holly Schwartz McDonald is a Realtor with Villa Real Estate who lives in Newport Beach and has been featured on HGTV’s hit show, “House Hunters.” She can be reached at HMcDonald@VillaRealEstate.com with comments or story ideas.
