Did you know that 61% of American households have a pet? How do you make your Pet Listing stand out to the millions of pet parents searching for their dream homes? Whether a dog person, a cat person, or someone who prefers the company of another pet species, 99% of pet owners say that they consider their animal to be family. When finding a home, 95% of animal owners believe it is important that a housing community allows animals. A recent study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed that there are many aspects of the home buying, selling and owning experience that have been greatly impacted by American’s love for their pets. This should come as no surprise as $66.75 billion was spent on pets in the U.S in 2016, with $70 billion projected for 2017. NAR’s President William E. Brown shed some light on the impact of pet owners and their home search,

“In 2016, 61 percent of U.S. households either have a pet or plan to get one in the future, so it is important to understand the unique needs and wants of animal owners when it comes to homeownership.   REALTORS® understand that when someone buys a home, they are buying it with the needs of their whole family in mind; ask pet owners, and they will enthusiastically agree that their animals are part of their family.”

Statistics to Educate Your Pet Sellers on the Unique Marketing Opportunities:

• 89% of pet owners say they would not give up their pet due to a housing restriction
• 81% of Americans say their pets play a role in their housing situation
• 31% of animal owners have refused to put in an offer on a home because it wasn’t a good fit for their animals
• 19% of Americans say they would consider moving for their pet
• 12% percent have moved for their pet

New home builders have actually begun installing retractable pet gates that tuck away neatly inside door jams as a highly requested feature in new homes to attract pet-parents, according to Builder.com. So, if you are presenting to sellers that own a pet, educate them on how your marketing plan includes today’s pet-friendly marketing strategies that will point out the features of their home that will attract pet owners:

• Fully fenced in backyard – (91% of pet owners ranked this as the most important feature of a home to accommodate their pet)
• Locations of dog parks/walking paths/pet-friendly beaches in the area (71% ranked this as the top feature of any neighborhood they would consider)
• Proximity to veterinarians/groomers/pet supply stores (31%)

Bottom Line

Americans love their pets and will look for pet-friendly features in the home they wish to buy, so take advantage of this knowledge by pointing this out to your potential sellers during your Listing presentation. Karen Jones, Founder of Strategy 4 Success Now and Marketing Coach for Real Estate Professionals educates REALTORs on how to use online and offline marketing strategies to grow their real estate business.   

Karen Jones, Founder of Strategy4SuccessNow and Marketing Coach for Real Estate Professionals believes that Real Estate Professionals need to understand how to market themselves.  She educates REALTORs on how to use online and offline marketing strategies to grow their real estate business.  Karen believes that the Real Estate Industry is a relationship business and thus coaches’ agents about Value Marketing.  The Marketing techniques have been time-tested with excellent results.