Top Real Estate Tips for Tampa Pet Owners
-Top Real Estate Tips for Tampa Pet Owners-
As America celebrates National Pet Month, Tampa Bay area pet owners are recognizing all the amazing benefits pets bring to our home lives. From cuddles on the couch to romps in the backyard, it is no surprise pets play a significant role in the real estate process.
In recent years, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) estimated a whopping 90 percent of Americans said pets are a part of their homebuying decisions. Add to that the major pet boom since the 2020 pandemic, during which thousands more adopted pets into their family homes. As your trusted real estate team, we are offering pet-friendly advice for home sellers and homebuyers.
Home Sellers with Pets:
- Highlight Pet-Friendly Features: A trending home feature is a pet shower or dog wash area, particularly those located near a back entrance or mudroom. Other popular requests are a fenced in backyard where a dog can frolic or a beautiful window seat for a cat. Pet owners may also be thrilled to see a doggy door; however, be sure the pet door is not installed on a fire-rated door, like those going from the home interior out to the garage. Inspectors and appraisers could flag that as a safety issue needing replacement.
- Eliminate Negative Signs of Pets: Not everyone is a pet person; therefore, be sure to remove any undesirable signs of pet life. Clean up stains, repair snags, cover scratches, and do your absolute best to eliminate any and all odors. If necessary, replace flooring in certain areas and discard of damaged furniture. Also, hide the litter box, toys, blankets, and food bowls during showings. Importantly, we also advise taking your pets to a different location during showings and buyer walk-throughs.
Homebuyers with Pets:
- Research Rules and Restrictions: Certain neighborhood associations and homeowner associations may have restrictions regarding pets. In addition to the basic “no dogs” or “no cats” rule, be on alert for other rules that could include banning of specific breeds or putting weight limits on the size of pets permitted in the neighborhood. Additionally, some neighborhood ordinances may include noise fines or fence regulations.
- Search for Neighborhood Perks: Look at the walkability of an area, including sidewalks for safety during your daily walks. Also, weigh your options of different homes near Tampa Bay’s dog-friendly parks, trails, and nature preserves. Consider coastal homes near the Pinellas Trail, condos near Bayshore Boulevard or Riverwalk in Tampa, or suburban homes near one of the many beautiful parks across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties.
We would be happy to help you sell your property or help you find a perfect Tampa Bay area home to enjoy with your beloved pets.
Contact Dick and Karla Nielsen today at 813-294-5786 for more information about buying, selling, and investing in Florida real estate.
