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5 Pet Friendly Home Features
When
it comes to finding the perfect home for you and your
family, keep every family member in mind - including
those with fur, fins or feathers! If you're a pet-owner,
be on the lookout for these practical features in
your home search:
1. Ample Space
While small pets like fish or hamsters don't necessarily
require a big area to live, you will need to remember
that their tank, cage or kennel will take up additional
space. Whether you have a 50 gallon fish tank that
takes up an entire corner or a medium-sized cage for
your dog to sleep in at night, keep in mind that pets
require more space for their habitats. Even a small
terrarium will most likely take up counter or shelf
space.
2. Pet Doors
For cat and dog owners, installing a pet door can
be a convenient way of keeping your furry companions
happy. Finding a home that already has these doors
installed will not only save you time and money, it
will help your pets adapt to their new surroundings
that much quicker.
3. Durable Laminate or Hard Wood Floors
Anyone whose ever owned a dog or cat knows that carpet
and pets don't mix well. Floors like hardwood, laminate,
tile or linoleum are great for quickly cleaning up
accidents and are also reduce pet dander and other
allergens that tend to get embedded in carpet.
4. Earth Tones
If your prospective home does have carpet, make sure
it's a neutral, earth tone color such as beige or
taupe. White or off-white flooring is not practical
for pet owners, as it will show hair and stains. Most
homeowners avoid these colors anyway, since they also
aren't practical for big families, children or high-traffic
areas.
5. Well-Fenced Yard
Having a good, sturdy fence that is at least six feet
high will protect your four-legged family members
from outside predators and keep them from wandering
too far from home. While there are all sorts of fences
on the market, from chain-link to picket fencing,
the popular choice seems to be privacy fencing for
most homes. Not only will this protect your pets,
it will add resale value to your home.
Remember to tell your real estate agent that pet
friendly features are important to you! He or she
can help you find listings that suit your needs.
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