Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership worldwide. Approximately 66 per cent of households have a pet.
Dogs claim top billing – around 44 per cent of all pets in Australia.
Scientists from Konkuk University, in South Korea, scanned the brains of 30 people as they groomed, fed and played with a four-year-old poodle and found they ‘reported feeling significantly less fatigued, depressed and stressed after all dog-related activities’. (Elite Agent, 15th March 2024)
We are used to reading that pets decrease stress, improve heart health and help children with their emotional and social skills. Have you ever thought of a pet as a buyer’s agent?
It is said that pets do, in fact, determine property buying decisions.
Some 75.3 per cent of pet owners say that their pets influence their choice of new home when they move house. Fairly recent Commonwealth Bank (CBA) research found that Australian first home buyers want adequate space for a pet more than they want to be near family.
What gets the tick (or should that be lick)?
Outdoors:
- Fenced yards that provide a safe space for pets to roam freely.
- Pet-friendly landscaping.
- Private outdoor space where pets can be safe, happy and entertained.
- Outdoor patio for shared leisure time.
- Pet washing stations (some prefer these indoors)
Indoors:
- Pet-friendly durable and easy-to-clean flooring.
- Built-in pet spaces for beds and feeding.
Communities:
- Green open spaces.
- Dog parks.
- Proximity to vet services.
- Walking paths.
- Pet-friendly businesses incl. cafes and pet stores.
- Pet-friendly local council.
Often having a single level home is important if homeowners and pets are getting older. Having plenty of storage space is another important home feature for pet lovers – for food and treats, food and water bowls, a kitty litter tray, crate etc.
I read about one residential community that promoted its offering as beautifully crafted single-level new homes with no stairs for 55+ home buyers and their pets. Floor plans include a mudroom, an outdoor patio and options for a sunroom and covered or screened patios, and extra storage built in especially with pets in mind.
There are almost 29 million pets in Australia. It’s not just people who want to live out the great Australian dream.