Attract Buyers With These 3 Pet-Friendly Spaces
Pets are taking over the housing market! No, they’re not buying homes, but they are heavily influencing their owners’ purchasing decisions. Over 70%1 of households in the U.S. own a pet, and that number is only growing. In fact, 1 in 52 households brought a new furry friend into their home during the pandemic.
Because pets are important family members, their owners take them into account when making big decisions like buying a new home. According to Zillow and Rover, 72%3 of dog parents would consider moving to a home that better suits their dog's needs. Here are three important areas of the house pet owners are looking for, and how you can ensure they're pet-friendly:
Durable Kitchens with Clever Design
The kitchen is the heart of the home and a place for families to gather4, so it’s no wonder that pets love to hang out there too. Whether it’s a small spot for pet food or even their own custom feeding station5 with room for napping, this can help buyers envision themselves and their pets moving into the home. To add the perfect spot for pet food, find a corner6 out of the main flow of traffic and add space for food bowls. This can even be built into cabinets for a seamless look.
Durable, easy-to-clean features are also of high importance to pet parents, especially in the kitchen. Durable flooring7 like hardwood or laminate can help prevent scratched floors.
Hardworking Laundry Rooms
Owning a pet usually means dealing with some pretty big messes. A designated laundry room can provide an all-in-one space for homeowners to handle everyday chores while also managing any pet-related messes. And, it tops the list of most-wanted features in a home with 87%8 of buyers expressing interest in laundry rooms in the home.
When designing this space, make sure to include lots of storage9, counter space10 for folding, and even space for a pet bed. A utility sink11 can also be helpful when tackling a tough stain or bathing furry friends. And don’t forget appliance innovations that provide high-quality laundry care, like the new Maytag® Pet Pro Top Load Washer, which takes pet maintenance to the next level. It was designed specifically with pet owners in mind, equipped with a filter that removes up to 5x more* pet hair. Not to mention, it also has a built-in faucet to help spot treat, rinse or soak clothes to tackle even the toughest stains.
Safe, Spacious Backyards
Outdoor spaces12 are becoming more of a priority to home buyers, especially as entertaining13 at home continues to rise. About 62%14 of homeowners consider a usable outdoor area to be very important when buying a home in 2022. It also provides extra livable space, which is the biggest motivator15 for pet parents when deciding to move.
Pets and owners love spending time outside, but without an enclosed space, that can be more stressful than enjoyable for pet owners. Providing an enclosed patio16 and/or a fenced-in space17 in the yard not only offers a place for pets to lounge and play in the sun, it provides peace of mind. This is also a huge benefit for families, offering a safe space for kids to play in.
For additional details about our appliance offerings, contact a sales rep today. Keep up with other trends and news in your industry by visiting The Trade Channel page.
*Comparing Normal cycle with Pet Pro Filter and option to cycle using traditional agitator without Pet Pro Filter and option. Results will vary based on fabric and type of pet hair.
1 https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-pet-ownership-and-insurance
2 https://www.aspca.org/about-us/press-releases/new-aspca-survey-shows-overwhelming-majority-dogs-and-cats-acquired-during
3 https://www.builderonline.com/land/local-markets/the-top-20-fastest-growing-dog-friendly-cities-according-to-zillow-and-rover_o
4 https://www.fossilblu.com/blogs/news/the-kitchen-the-new-gathering-space-in-the-home
5 https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/a36177207/pet-friendly-kitchen-design/
6 https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/a36177207/pet-friendly-kitchen-design/
7 https://thebeaconrealtygroup.com/pet-friendly-home-features/
8 https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/shopping/home/603217/home-features-todays-buyers-want-most
9 https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/g25572553/laundry-room-ideas/?slide=12
10 https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/g25572553/laundry-room-ideas/?slide=20
11 https://www.durasupreme.com/blog/5-design-must-haves-for-any-laundry-room/
12 https://www.zillow.com/research/home-features-that-sell-2022-30822/
13 https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/shopping/home/603217/home-features-todays-buyers-want-most
14 https://www.builderonline.com/design/consumer-trends/outdoor-areas-natural-light-among-the-most-important-home-features-for-2022_o
15 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/16/realestate/top-cities-dog-owners.html
16 https://thebeaconrealtygroup.com/pet-friendly-home-features/
17 https://thebeaconrealtygroup.com/pet-friendly-home-features/
