If you’re looking for a home and you just so happen to have furry, fluffy, or feathered friends that may accompany you, then there may be some things that are unique to your house hunt. As a pet owner, you love your pets and, simply put, they’re part of your family, so it should come as no surprise that the things you look for in your home should be both human-friendly as well as pet-friendly.
This is our guide to house hunting for pet owners.
Considerations for “Inside the Dog House”
No, we’re not talking about the conventional colloquialism, instead, we’re talking about the actual interior of your home. While most pet owners may focus on outdoor space, there are quite a few considerations to keep in mind for inside your home. Depending on the type of pet you have will make a big difference too, but there are a few things that most pet owners will find necessary.
First of all, consider the space inside the home. If you have a big dog, multiple small dogs, or several cats, you’ll need some extra space for their beds, litter boxes, crates or kennels, and the like. Also, you’ll likely want floors that will be pet-friendly even if your pets are currently house trained. Finally, make sure that the home is safe for your pets and they can’t get into too much trouble poking their noses where they shouldn’t.
All Around the House
Perhaps a pet owner’s biggest consideration, and certainly one for dog owners, is the space around the house. And by that, we simply mean the exterior of the home and yard space. If you’re fortunate enough to be able to buy a home with ample yard space, then you likely aren’t as concerned about the outside of the house.
Make sure that any yard has a quality fence, working latching gates, and few if any places where your pets can escape. Naturally, our pets like to find the weaknesses in fences and yards for escape plans, but do everything you can to shop for a home where those temptations have been limited. Also, be aware of poisonous or dangerous foliage that could harm your pet.
Access Could be Crucial
If your home was occupied by a previous pet owner, then you may already have some of the luxuries your pets already desire. Access to the outdoors by way of a doggie door or cat flap or, in some cases, outright kennel space and a “dog run” for bigger dogs is a major plus.
If these things aren’t part of your plan and are already existing in a home you’re shopping for, then make sure you can remedy the situation by closing off outdoor access or creating it if it’s not already part of the home’s infrastructure. Keep in mind that living in rural parts of your area could mean that uninvited guests could use the same access your faithful companions do.
Have a Plan
One thing that some pet owners neglect to consider is that, when moving into a new house, their pets aren’t used to the new space and need to adjust. Be sure you’re adequately prepared by having a plan for them to be comfortable while you get things situated and settle into a new normal.
Aside from that, make sure you’ve got a financial plan for your new home. The best thing you can do for both your pets and your sanity is to get pre-qualified before your house hunt starts in earnest. Contact Tidewater Mortgage Services, Inc. today!
