When searching for a new home, buyers often create a short-list of high-value items like an updated kitchen, modern bathrooms, off-street parking, access to good schools, green space and public transportation. While each of these items is important, one aspect of the home search process is occasionally overlooked. Your new place is a home for the entire family – including your pets. By conducting a pet friendly home search, you’ll be sure to find a place that meets the needs of the entire family.
- Consider city and town regulations. While cats and dogs are welcome in most areas, cities and towns may regulate more exotic pets or limit the type and number of pets allowed. In Boston, dog owners must obtain a license for their pet each year.
- Review home owner association (HOA) documents. Each HOA is different so it’s important to know the organization’s pet policy. Your realtor can help you review HOA documents to ensure a good fit and to make sure it’s truly pet friendly with no limitations to the number, size, weight of pets.
- Evaluate pet friendly features during showings. Does the home have enough yard space for your dog to run? Is there adequate space for a dog bed in a warm and welcoming part of the house? Does the location of your unit allow for easy entry and exit during walks? Are there too many stairs if you dog is elderly? Some new developments offer pet friendly features. For example, Jamaica Plain’s 45 On Burnett has a pet grooming area and easy access to green space for runs.
- Assess the neighborhood for pet friendliness. While finding a pet friendly home is important, being the only pet in the neighborhood may be isolating. Check for signs that your new home is in a pet friendly part of town. Do you see people walking dogs at night? Is there a dog park within walking distance of your new home? Are pet supply stores and grooming facilities nearby?
We’re fortunate to have many options in JP, Roslindale and West Roxbury. Peter’s Hill in Roslindale and Millennium Park in West Roxbury are great places to walk your dogs.
Polka Dog Bakery on South Street in JP and
Pet Cabaret in Roslindale are great places for pet supplies and treats. There’s a new doggie day care,
Luxe Pet Resort, on the VFW parkway in West Roxbury. And,
Brookline Grooming and
Continental Shoppe in West Roxbury are great for grooming your pet. But there’s more to a dog’s life than grooming and treats. And, a
new dog park may (finally) open in JP later this year providing making our home turf even more pet friendly and accessible.
Owning a home is a wonderful experience for the entire family – including your pets. By keeping pet needs visible during your search, you’ll be sure to find a home that the entire family can enjoy for years to come.