House Hunting Tips for Pet Owners

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For pet owners, their pets are just as much a part of the family as the rest of the members of the household. Catering to their needs is a priority, because after all, you all occupy the same space.

So when it comes to moving houses, it’s crucial to make sure that your new house is suitable for your pet, and you don’t end up investing in a huge mistake.

When it comes to keeping birds or reptiles, there are mostly in-door restrictions, but for larger pets like some breeds of dogs, and for cats that are more prone to roaming outdoors, there are a number of other factors you should take into account.

Here are some important tips to remember when you go looking for your dream home.

Neighborhood

Check out the neighborhood and confirm if it’s pet-friendly or not. It’s better to do so beforehand, or else you could fall in love with a house and find out that you can’t move in with your pets due to restrictions! A pet-friendly neighborhood will also have parks and recreational places in close proximity which you can easily take your pet to.

Neighborhood

Identify your pet’s needs

Finding a new house can be a huge lifestyle change for both you and your pet; there will be an adjustment period. To make sure the transition is smooth and your pet is not inconvenienced, identify their needs—such as a large space to roam around in for a large dog, room to dig in the yard, etc.

It will also be helpful to notify your real estate broker so you can look for houses accordingly. Older dogs and cats could have trouble navigating a home which has stairs or higher floors. Ask yourself, what are your pet’s individual’s needs?  And what are the things you want to avoid having in a house?

Flooring/ Fencing? 

This is something we’ve all made the mistake of overlooking. Making sure that the yard has a fence around it is very important if you don’t want your pets running away. You also want to protect them from other animals who might invade their space.

Floors which can be easily scratched and need higher maintenance can be a deal breaker.  Check out the floors and note if any changes need to be made, and if so, how much would it cost you to do so. If there are other factors on a property which are not appealing, it might not be worth it to invest in changing the floors.

Take your pet along 

Your pet should know what’s happening. Taking them along to get a feel for the new home and so they can get acclimated to a new environment. You can see how easy or difficult it will be for them to adjust in the new home based on how they react.

If you’re house hunting somewhere in Mechanicsburg or Camp Hills, PA, you can reach out to some of the best real estate agent Camp Hill. Our real agents will help you close the deal on the house of your dreams and of your pet’s. Contact us for more information.