Pet house deal breakers: What you need to cater for when looking for a new home
Our pets have become a vital part of many Australian households, so how can you make sure they will be happy, and safe, in their new home?
Our pets are part of our homes like never before, but how can we ensure they are happy, and safe, when we move house?
Whether renting or buying, the comfort of our pets is one of our chief considerations when searching for, and finding, a new home.
Almost two-thirds of Australian households have a pet, so it is an issue many of us face.
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Cohen Handler buyer’s agent Leon Jacques describes it as a “huge” factor in the decision making process of his clients, while pet advocate Anneke van den Broek talks of the “humanisation” of our four-legged mates as a vital part of the family unit and where we call home.
Ms van den Broek points to a study conducted by Rufus and Coco, the pet health and beauty brand she founded, that found 91 per cent of owners say their pet is their best friend.
Other research has found we do not view our pets simply as animals, but rather as family members alongside our own children. So what do we need to take into account are our pets when looking for a new home?
DEAL BREAKERS
“People are willing to pay extra for a property where they can have their pet,” Mr Jacques said.
“Some joke that it’s OK if their kids don’t love it, but if their dog doesn’t, it’s a deal breaker
“For many of our clients, the pet will determine where they end up.
“If they can’t have an apartment, they need to look at a townhouse of semi instead.”
Like most property transactions, location and outdoor space are again key when it comes to your pet.
Deal breakers here include:
* main roads
* high-rise buildings
* no grass
* pools
* non pet-friendly areas
Looking after our pets, parallels our approach to our children, according to Ms van den Broek.
“We want them to be safe, we want them to eat well (this includes not being exposed to dangerous foods) and we want to look after their mental and physical wellbeing,” she said.
“They want a safe place for themselves and they want consistency in that.”
This means main roads are a hazard.
“Animals are naturally curious and it is hard to keep cats contained so busy roads need to be avoided,” Ms van den Broek said.
High-rises can also be an issue, says vetinarian Geoff Golovsky.
“You need to be careful in high-rises — we call it high-rise syndrome — cats have an inquisitive nature and people think they need to be outside. But you have to be mindful of what can happen. We have had instances of cats jumping off high-rises,” said Mr Golovsky, director of Vet HQ.
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Another important factor is whether the building and the area is pet-friendly. Are pets welcome and is it close to dog parks?
“A lot of pets like that outdoor space and depending on your dog you will need that. But at the same time, like us, it is all about nutrition and exercise. So it you don’t have that space, you will have to get up earlier and walk the dog for longer. A dog park nearby can help,” Mr Golovsky said.
Ms van den Broek also stresses the danger that pools can pose to cats and dogs.
“And like us, pets get older, they get arthritis and the like so you don’t want a dog with that having to negotiate stairs, or you having to negotiate stairs with you in their arms.”
PET REFERENCES
Adrian Fowler knew it was going to be a challenge to find the perfect new home for his Huskies Sabre and Lunakai upon his proposed move from the NSW Central Coast to Sydney’s inner west.
“The priority above everything else was a grass yard,” he said.
“We knew that was what would make them happy and comfortable. It had to be at least 5 sqm of grass. Not just outdoor space but somewhere they could enjoy, run around and relax, not just sit on concrete all day.”
He also had to take into account, what his dogs were not accustomed to, and what might alarm them.
“Leichhardt was out, because we were worried they would get scared of the planes landing. Infrastructure was an issue too. Going from the quiet of the Central Coast to Parramatta Rd would be too much, and we didn’t want construction going on around the dogs either.”
Mr Fowler found a new home in Annandale. A secure property with good access to public parks.
“We didn’t want to be declined by the agent and owner for having two Huskies, they are a big part of the family and they are well behaved. It was difficult to find places that were pet-friendly, owners could be sceptical so we provided references from my neighbours to show what kind of dogs they were.”
DOWNSIZING DILEMMAS, STRATA SOLUTIONS
You need to do your due diligence and work out whether the apartment block you buy into allows pets. Strata by-laws will outline this. In some states recent amendments to strata legislation has made things as a whole more pet-friendly. But animals, apart from assistance animals, are not automatically permitted.
This is where pet references can again come in.
“If you are downsizing you need to consider if they area is right for your dog, do your research, if it doesn’t get enough exercise, he will dig holes and be a general nuisance,” Mr Golovsky said.
“If have a rescue dog, do your research, classify what type of dog it is. Because you don’t know what your dog can be like unless you study it. Greyhounds, for example, are the biggest couch potatoes you can get.”
CONTROLLED CRYING
“With today’s designer dogs, you can find a dog perfect for any environment,” Mr Golovsky said.
“ A Groodle, a Cavoodle, any of the poodle crosses, you can design them for how much exercise they need, how much time they spend chilling out.
“Again, do your research, but also know it takes a while to train them and get them used to a new home.
“Be consistent, give them what they’re going to get. Don’t take time off work and be with them if you aren’t going to be with them day-in day-out.
“Look at it as controlled crying. Leave them for three days, get your neighbour a bottle of wine, and after that they will both be right.”
LET YOUR PET DECIDE
You can take you pet through your potential property and let them decide.
In most cases, vendors and sales agents will let you do that, according to Richardson and Wrench, Bondi Junction’s Stephen Antico.
“I like seeing dogs at open homes,” he said.
“I’m a dog lover and if I see someone leave their dog out the front, I’ll say ‘come on, bring them in, see if they like it’.
“If the vendor has said they don’t want it or it’s a high-end immaculate residence or there’s the chance of damage I won’t allow it. But most vendors aren’t too precious. They have already let go of the emotional connection. They know someone else will own it.”
Originally published as Pet house deal breakers: What you need to cater for when looking for a new home
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