They say that when it comes to choosing a new home, the three most important things are location, location, location. But it turns out, it’s not all that matters to folk on the search for the perfect pad. We surveyed potential buyers with a four-legged family member and 82% of them said they would turn down their dream house if it wasn’t suitable for their dog. Yes, that’s 4 out of 5 dog owners, who’d turn down that south-facing, detached abode with the cracking original features, that was somehow available within their price range, if little Pickles would be unhappy there. That’s called true love, folks.
And it makes sense. A dog’s home is very important to them because they often spend quite a bit of time there. If the nearby road is noisy, the outdoor space is too small, or they have hip problems that prevent them from climbing stairs, their quality of life can be drastically affected. And in unfamiliar surroundings, they can easily become anxious or depressed. As most dog owners in the UK think of their dogs as family members it’s only natural that the needs of the little bundles of unconditional love are carefully considered. And you know that if the tables were turned they’d want to make sure that you were as happy as possible too.
In the UK one in four households has a dog. One in seven dog owners told us that they would actually move house if their dog wasn’t able to settle into a new environment. 64% of owners say they would only buy a property if the garden was big enough for their dog, and 44% told us they’d only buy a new pad if there were good routes to go for walkies and open-spaces nearby. 40% of owners said that they’d prefer to take their dogs property shopping with them if the option was available to them. So with these stats in mind, Rover teamed up with online estate agent, eMoov to host doggy viewing days as part of a nationwide test. On the 29th and 30th of September, house hunters can bring their furry friends along to explore new properties!
Emoov’s founder and CEO, Russell Quirk, said: “In current market conditions, it’s advisable for home sellers to do all they can to make their property stand out from the crowd and to attract the required level of buyer interest to secure a sale. While man’s best friend isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, we are undoubtedly a nation of dog lovers and this can play a big part in the decision for many home buyers. Accommodating a viewer’s four-legged companion during the viewing process can not only help build that vital buyer-seller rapport but will also speed the process along and let them see first-hand if the property is suitable for their pet.”
So if you’re in the market for a new pad and want to bring the doggies along to make sure the whole family are happy in their new environment you can view any property listed by eMoov across the country on the 29th and 30th of September. (Of course, homeowners who are selling and don’t feel that canine viewings are quite right for them they will be given the choice to opt-out). Happy house-hunting!
