Why Pet-Friendly Homes Are in High Demand

by | Apr 14, 2019 | Buyers, First Time Home Buyers, Home Features and Pets, Home Ownership and Pets, Homes and Pets, Housing Market Updates, Move-up Buyers, Pet Amenties, Pet Safety, Rent vs Buy, Sellers, Selling Your Home

Why Pet-Friendly Homes Are in High Demand | MyKCM

One of the many benefits of owning your own home is the freedom to find your ‘furever’ friend. By pointing out the aspects of your home that make it ‘pet-friendly’ in your listing, you’ll attract these buyers, rather than alienating the 68% of American households that have a pet!

If you are one of the many homeowners looking to list your home for sale, how do you stand out to the millions of pet parents searching for their dream home?

Whether a dog person, a cat person, or someone who prefers the company of another pet species, 99% of pet owners say that they consider their animal to be family. When finding a home, 95% of animal owners believe it is important that a housing community allows animals.

A study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed that there are many aspects of the home buying, selling and owning experience that have been greatly impacted by our love for our pets.

This should come as no surprise, as $72 billion was spent on pets in the U.S in 2018. NAR’s President William E. Brown shed some light on the impact of pet owners and their home search.

“It is important to understand the unique needs and wants of animal owners when it comes to homeownership. REALTORS® understand that when someone buys a home, they are buying it with the needs of their whole family in mind; ask pet owners, and they will enthusiastically agree that their animals are part of their family.”

The Power of Pets When Choosing the Right Home

  • 89% of pet owners say they would not give up their pet due to a housing restriction
  • 81% of Americans say their pets play a role in their housing situation
  • 31% of animal owners have refused to put in an offer on a home because it wasn’t a good fit for their animals
  • 19% of Americans say they would consider moving for their pet
  • 12% percent have moved for their pet

New home builders have actually begun installing retractable pet gates that tuck away neatly inside door jams as a highly requested feature in new homes to attract pet-parents.

So, if you are a homeowner looking to sell in today’s pet-friendly environment, point out the features of your home that will attract pet owners:

  • Fully fenced in backyard – (91% of pet owners ranked this as the most important feature of a home to accommodate their pet)
  • Locations of dog parks/walking paths/pet-friendly beaches in the area (71% ranked this as the top feature of any neighborhood they would consider)
  • Proximity to veterinarians/groomers/pet supply stores (31%)

Bottom Line

Americans love their pets and will look for pet-friendly features in the home they wish to buy, so take advantage of this knowledge by pointing out your home’s ability to meet their needs.

Are You Protected?

by | Oct 14, 2018 | Building Code, Pet Safety, Protect your family, Safety, Smoke Alarms

Are your smoke alarms up to code? Most building codes require smoke detectors in residential homes. If you’re a renter, your landlord is responsible for ensuring their building (s) are up to code. If you plan to sell your home, you will be required to bring your existing smoke detectors up to code before closing day! Homeowners should check with their local public safety office or nearby fire department for specific requirements for their home.

General guidelines:

• Primary types: according to the National Fire Protection Association
Ionization (flame-responsive), photoelectric (detect smoldering fire). Using a combo unit or a mix
of both can provide better overall protection.

• Hard-wired units: all smoke detectors should be interconnected, so If one triggers, they all go
off.

• Wireless connected systems: the newest technology of interconnected systems perform like the hard-wired units that set all units off if one is triggered.

• Battery operated: 10 year Lithium battery units are replaced after their stated lifespan. Standard batteries should be replaced at least annually, and you can use the test button once a month to
replace batteries or units as needed.

• Location is KEY for effectiveness! Recommended smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping area/bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on each level.

• General Placement: placing them high on a wall or on the ceiling can increase effectiveness. For extra-high ceilings, consult your local fire department for proper wall placement.

• Specific for Kitchen units: a HUSH button in the unit can be used if cooking smoke sets it off. This option is better than waving a towel  around and opening doors and windows to get it to turn off. Also, a photoelectric unit installed close to the kitchen won’t be set off by cooking. NEVER disable a unit to shut it off.

Keep your family members safe (including the FURRY ONES) by installing up to code smoke alarms in recommended locations, performing regular maintenance and replace units as needed.

Create an Evacuation Plan for Your Pets

by | Jul 9, 2018 | Homes and Pets, Pet Safety

We love our furry family members! An evacuation plan is a necessity for every home, especially if you live in an area where fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, and other disasters are a possibility. Many homeowners create evacuation plans for their homes and practice them with their kids, but far fewer have considered one for their pets. Take these steps to add your pets to your evacuation plan.

Assign pet evacuation to an adult. Everyone should know how to act during an evacuation, and that includes assigning one parent or adult to the pets. This allows the other parent and the children to focus on their part of the evacuation plan, so there’s no confusion during a high-stress moment when time is of the essence.

Keep evacuation maps and pet carriers readily accessible. If you need to evacuate, you should know exactly where every important item is. If you pets require carriers, keep them in a place that you can access easily.

Practice your plan. Include your pets in your home evacuation drills. It’ll help you see how they will respond and make changes to your plan if necessary. Getting your dog out of a window may not be as simple as you think!

Be prepared in case you get separated from your pets. No matter how much you drill your evacuation plan, it’s possible that a dog or cat will run off while you’re focusing on keeping your family safe. A microchip or a GPS-compatible tag can help you find your pets once it’s safe to return to the area.

Let’s keep our families safe!

Keep Your Pets Safe

by | Apr 3, 2018 | Homes and Pets, Pet Safety

Include Your Pets in Your Emergency Prep Kit

Because many homes include pets, it’s important to include them in your emergency prep and evacuation plan. Our family members rely on us, so let’s keep them safe in the event of an emergency.

Emergency Pet Kit:

  • Select a pet-friendly emergency meeting place
  • A week’s worth of food and water
  • Pet’s medical records and photos
  • Prescription medication
  • Sanitary items: catbox/litter, potty pads, trash bags
  • Leash, collars with contact info
  • Crate or Carrier and blankets
  • INCLUDE:  Order FREE ASPCA Pet Safety Pack and get your free magnet and decal