Alice knows a thing or two about rabbit holes…
When I find a spare minute (or 90 of them), I do enjoy getting lost down the many rabbit holes of Pinterest. I’m always on the hunt for home improvement inspiration. Or pet-related inspiration. And sometimes, on truly magical days, I find both.
The latest DIY obsession, er, project that we are kicking around here in our SE Portland bungalow is to add a dog shower in our basement. Turns out, this is a thing. I even have a Pinterest Board dedicated to all the sources of inspiration I find on this particular topic. It is a fun board to update and revisit as we design plan our own version of Fido’s spa.
There was a time in real estate when if you wanted to sell your home, and you were going through it to make staging decisions, all you needed to do was stage a room in a home as a nursery, show how the furniture fit beautifully, the light filtered in the window just so, and that house was as good as sold. If you happened to have a fenced yard for Fido, check the box and let’s write it up.
Daphne enjoying her fenced yard.
Today, a secure, fenced yard with room to run and play is only the beginning. And given that an estimated 79 million U.S. homes are now pet-friendly, taking a moment to consider how your listing may be marketed to a pet-loving buyer is worth your efforts.
- Is your flooring scratch-resistant or easy-to-clean? This is a plus for pet owners. Point it out.
- Are you one of the awesome Portland residents who built a protected catio so your cat can enjoy both indoor and safe outdoor exploration? If so, you are my hero. Showcase it and celebrate it.
- A built-in dog kennel, often in otherwise wasted space below a staircase, or under a desk space in the kitchen, creates an almost immediate bond between seller and pet-loving buyer.
- “Smart” pet doors that allow pets to enter and exit, but keep other critters outside are all the rage right now. If you never have to convince a raccoon to please stop swinging from your light fixture and kindly leave at 3:00 a.m., then you know the Smart door you bought for your pet was a good investment and will certainly be appreciated by a buyer.
- Maybe you have a garden boot cleaning area in your garage or in your yard. Sure, this can be used to hose off the garden boots, but it can also be used as a pet washing and grooming station, especially if you can control the water temperature.
- Add a pet bed and little basket of toys, or even a cat condo/climbing tree in a nook to show that it is a great space for a buyer’s pet. People love the idea of their pet’s stuff having a dedicated space other than, well, absolutely everywhere.
Real estate used to be about hiding any evidence that pets exist. Conventional wisdom said you must appeal to the widest possible audience. I believe that the pet-loving audience is plenty wide, especially in a city like Portland, Oregon. Pets can be celebrated and integrated into your home’s listing. Buyers will respond. And they will appreciate your efforts.
Additional Resources:
Finally, if you are seeking a trusted, pet-loving REALTOR® outside of the state of Oregon, contact me. I am happy to provide you with my most trusted referrals throughout the U.S.