More Homebuyers Are Taking Pets into Consideration

The number of U.S. households with pets now outpaces the number of households with children, and that is changing the way Americans shop for homes, according to the National Association of Realtors. Back in 1985, 58% of homebuyers had children under 18 living with them. By 2024, that number had dropped to just 27%—a historic low. At the same time, pet ownership has climbed, with 71% of households now owning a pet, up from 56% in 1988. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that 20% of recent homebuyers said their pets played a role in deciding where and what kind of home to buy.

Among unmarried couples, 24% said they chose their neighborhood with their pet in mind, compared with 15% of married couples. Similarly, 17% of single women considered their pets when choosing where to buy a house, while only 12% of single men did the same.

Those who considered their pet to be very important in their neighborhood choice were also more likely to consider other neighborhood features than those who did not factor a pet into their decision. Pet lovers also purchased homes in areas with larger lots or acreage, and were more interested in convenience to parks and recreation areas, as well as walkability. This is likely not a surprise, as it is not just humans who desire these neighborhood features, but the pets themselves that need room to run and play.