Most Home Buying Pet Parents Would Pass on Their Dream Home if it Doesn't Work for Fido, According to Realtor.com® Survey

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Dec 12, 2022, 06:00 ET

More than two-thirds of prospective buyers with pets say they'd buy a home specifically because of features that cater toward their pet

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- From adding "catios" to foregoing a home that's not pet-friendly, many homeowners and buyers are prioritizing their furry friends when making pivotal real estate decisions. According to a new survey conducted by Realtor.com^® and HarrisX among 3,001 U.S. adults, 82% of Americans with pets who are planning to buy a home within the next year consider their pets' needs just as important, if not more so, than their own needs or those of their family.

More than three-quarters (77%) of U.S. homeowners have a pet at home, and 79% of pet owners say they factored their pet in when choosing which home or apartment to live in. Pet owners looking to buy a house this year are prioritizing their pets even more, with 91% saying they'll be a factor in their decision.

"People love their pets. And they're prioritizing the needs of these furry members of their families when choosing a home to rent or buy," said Clare Trapasso, executive editor at Realtor.com^®. "Having an animal-accessible home is more important to many pet owners than extra square footage or a shorter commute to work."

Buyers are saying, "No Pet, No Deal."
Many prospective homebuyers have decided to abandon their buying process completely if they do not find a home to accommodate their pets.

Almost three-quarters (72%) of prospective buyers with pets admit that they would forgo buying their dream home if it didn't accommodate their pets, while 62% of current homeowners with pets say they would.
Sixty-six percent of prospective buyers with pets have declined to live in an otherwise perfect home because it couldn't accommodate their pets; and 44% of homeowners with pets say they would decline to live in an otherwise perfect home if it didn't accommodate their pets.

Pets take priority over extra space, a short commute, and more.
Some homebuyers are willing to adjust their search – and give up sought-after amenities – in order to prioritize their pets.

About one third of pet owners planning to buy would give up a bonus room (37%) or extra bedroom (33%) – to be able to afford more/better space for their pet. Nearly one quarter would even give up a shorter commute (23%), an extra bathroom (22%) or an office (21%).
Two-thirds (67%) of prospective buyers with pets say they'd buy a home specifically because of features that cater toward their pet, while almost half (49%) of current homeowners with pets would do so.
Eighty-seven percent of those with pets looking to buy a house within the next year say they are factoring their pet in when choosing which neighborhood to live in, and more than two-thirds (70%) of current homeowners say they would factor in their pet when choosing a new neighborhood.

Homeowners making "purr-fect" spaces with catios, dog doors and fenced-in yards.
In some cases, homeowners have decided to take measures into their own hands by adding pet-friendly features, such as patios, dog doors and fenced-in yards, to their space.

More than two thirds (69%) of pet owners looking to buy a home within a year say they would build or install special pet features in their home, and half (51%) of current homeowners with pets have built these features. The #1 feature in both groups: a dog door.
Of the homeowners who have built special pet features in their home, about two in five (39%) fenced in their yard, 32% built a horse barn/facility, or installed a climbing post (32%); 28% installed a dog shower/bath station, 22% added a dog run in their yard, and 21% built a "catio."

Anyone looking for a pet-friendly rental can check out the "pets" filter on realtor.com/rentals which can help you search for homes that will accept furry family members.

Methodology: This survey was conducted online within the U.S. from Aug. 9-12, 2022 among 3,001 adults by HarrisX. The sampling margin of error of this poll is plus or minus 1.8 percentage points. The results reflect a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Results were weighted for age by gender, region, race/ethnicity, and income where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in the population.

About Realtor.com^®Realtor.com^® is an open real estate marketplace built for everyone. Realtor.com^® pioneered the world of digital real estate more than 25 years ago. Today, through its website and mobile apps, Realtor.com^® is a trusted guide for consumers, empowering more people to find their way home by breaking down barriers, helping them make the right connections, and creating confidence through expert insights and guidance. For professionals, Realtor.com^® is a trusted partner for business growth, offering consumer connections and branding solutions that help them succeed in today's on-demand world. Realtor.com^® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. For more information, visit Realtor.com^®.