The Denver Pet Owner’s Guide To Buying A Home: 3 Things To Ask Yourself

Millennials may not be having as many kids as the generations before them, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any babies in the house. Most Americans under the age of 40 have at least one pet and own more pets than any other demographic. Up to 36.5% of all U.S. households have a dog.

It’s no secret we love our furry friends. So it only makes sense when we start to look for a new house or apartment that we look for features that work for the entire family.

If you’re looking to move with your furry family, here are a few things to ask yourself to put you on the right track to buying the right home.

Does your pet spend more time indoors or outdoors?

For pets that spend more time outdoors than indoors, make sure the house has a backyard with plenty of shade of summer weather and enough room for your pet to run around.

For indoor/outdoor pets, you’ll want to consider the flooring in the house. Wood or tile flooring is preferred leading out to the backyard to prevent muddy paw prints from getting on the carpet.

For pets who prefer to stay indoors, it’s a good idea to look for a home with wide spaces and hallways. This gives your pet plenty of space to play and run around.

Are there favorable walking routes?

You don’t necessarily need a big backyard if there are dog parks nearby. But one thing you definitely need to look for is a neighborhood with good walking routes.

You might like the hustle and bustle of the city. Approximately 32% of people house hunting are first-time homebuyers and up to 16% of them are looking for new houses in urban areas this year. But if your dog isn’t a fan of loud noises and crowds, you might want to look for houses in quieter areas.

Take your dog for a walk around the neighborhood you’re interested in. This will give you first-hand experience with the neighborhood’s walking paths and the chance to observe your dog for any signs of anxiety.

How old is your pet now and do you have the budget for updates?

For pet owners with an older pet, there are certain features you want to avoid having in your house. According to We’re All About Cats, stairs can be an issue if your cat or dog has arthritis and hardwood floors can be slippery once your pet loses traction in their paws.

Keep in mind the changes you’ll need to make to your home as your pet ages. You might need to put the money you were saving for a renovation toward features that would make living more comfortable for your pet.

For instance, the average homeowner in 2019 planned to spend $10,000 on home renovations and the commercial cooking equipment manufacturing industry has grown to $3.7 billion in the last five years. But it might be a better investment to renovate your home’s flooring instead to give your aging pets some carpeted areas where they can safely run around.

When you’re house hunting with your pets, you want to be sure that the home you choose not only caters to your needs but also to your pets’ needs. By following the tips above, you can make sure that your entire family is happy and healthy in the new home.