Most people have a good idea of the features they want (and don’t want) in a new home, but it’s sometimes a different story with pet owners. It is a good idea to consider the features you need for your furry friends. For example, a fenced-in backyard. But, really, there’s a lot more you need to consider when buying a house if you’re a pet owner. Let’s take a look, then, at 4 things pet owners should look for when buying a house in Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas.
1. Pet-Friendly Floor Plan and Adequate Square Footage
A pet-friendly floor plan that includes enough square footage is important when you’re buying a house in Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas as a pet owner. This is especially important if you have a large dog or several dogs.
You don’t want to be always tripping over your pets. You should consider good places for dog beds and cat trees. Dog and cats need to feel safe and need personal space too.
Buyers often want plenty of outdoor space for pets too. Particularly for dogs, but you’ll also need adequate indoor space to accommodate both your family and your pets. Of course, a large dog like a Great Dane will require more space than a cat, but space should remain an important consideration. You should also consider if your family is growing how the addition of baby gear may impact the space.
We can discuss your floor-plan and square-footage needs in the {market_city] before you even begin house hunting. To learn more about how an agent can help you in your home search as a pet owner, just call 917-608-7277.
2. Suitable Flooring for Pets
Another thing you should consider when buying a house in Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas is whether the flooring is suitable for pets. Pet-friendly flooring is important and is definitely something you should look for in a home.
It’s probably best to avoid a house with a lot of carpeting, especially wall-to-wall carpeting. Besides not helping resale value, carpeting is far from the best flooring for pet owners. Cats may claw it, and dogs will track in mud and dirt onto it. Carpet can also trap smells from accidents, may stain easily, and collect pet hair. If your dog, cat, or you 😉 needs something softer underfoot, you can use an area or throw rug, which can be cleaned or replaced.
We recommend that you look for solid hardwood since it can be refinished when it’s scratched. Also, you can look for very light or very dark wood, and if possible triple-sealing it with high-grade polyurethane (use a water-based poly for light floors, and oil-based for dark).
3. Accessibility and Safety
Your pets will also need a home that’s accessible and safe, so be sure to look for these features when buying a house in Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas.
Here’s what we mean with respect to accessibility. “Do you have an elderly dog that will need to navigate stairs? Think about ramps, porches, decks, and other areas your pet will need to access. Will it be easy? Are there railings or other features to keep them from falling off? There are always options if you’ll look for them.”
When it comes to pet safety, here are a couple of things to consider . . .
- Water hazards – “Depending on where you’re looking, your potential home may have a pond, pool, or other water feature on the property. Is it something that can be made safe for your pet (steps or ramp to get out) or fenced off so they can’t fall in and drown?”
- Safely screened windows – You need securely screened windows to keep pets from falling out when upper-floor windows are open. “The incidence of cats falling out of second-story (and higher) windows is so common that veterinarians call it ‘high rise syndrome.’”
4. Proximity to Pet Amenities
An important, but often overlooked, consideration for pet owners buying a house is (or should be, anyway) proximity to pet amenities.
For example, how close is the nearest veterinarian? Is there a dog park nearby? Is there a safe well lit place to walk the dog at night? Before you make an offer on a house, you should consider some of these questions.
And Use the Right Agent
As a pet owner, then, you need a home with the right features to keep your pets healthy, happy, and safe. Your best bet is to work with a Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas agent who has experience in this area. The right agent can make all the difference. So if you’re a pet owner and are considering buying a house in Westfield, Cranford, Clark, Scotch Plains, Fanwood and Mountainside Areas, be sure to contact us today at 917-608-7277.