If you have dogs, you already know how they can cause problems with your home. If you are planning to buy a new home now is the perfect time to find one that will fit well with your dogs. Below are some tips on how you can do this to help you get started.
Choose a Home with Hard Flooring
Carpet and dogs simply do not mix well together. It is difficult to clean up things like urine, vomit, or feces off carpet completely. If you purchase a home with hard floors you will not have to worry about this. Even if the floors are hardwood there are things you can do to protect the floor from scratches from their paws. For example, put a coating on the flooring as it protects the floor from their scratches, as well as from wear and tear. You should reapply the coating every few years following the manufacturer's instructions. If you purchase a house with hardwood flooring, ask the realtor if the seller put a coating on their flooring and how often.
Check Home Owner Association Regulations
If the home you are purchasing has a home owner's association (HOA), you need to check with them as not all will allow pets. If they do, they may have bylaws when it comes to how many pets you can have, as well as the type and size of the pet. Some may have restrictions on if you can let the pet roam outside without a leash even if they stay in your yard. You need to take these bylaws seriously as they are generally enforced. The last thing you want to happen is to purchase a home and then find out you cannot keep your dogs. Your realtor can obtain these bylaws for you and go over them with you.
Look at the Home's Layout
If you have an aging dog, you should consider the layout of the home. For example, they may not be able to climb stairs well. Pets also need freedom to run and play inside of the home so look for a home that has an open layout to allow them this freedom. It is common to find homes where the kitchen and dining room are combined into one large room. You may want the home to have a lot of storage space, such as extra closets, for you to store your pet supplies.
Talk with your real estate agent about these things so they can find you the perfect home.
