For These Homebuyers, a Fenced Yard Isn’t a Bonus—It’s the Starting Point

There are two kinds of homebuyers: those with pets and those without. And for pet owners, a home purchase can hinge on whether a listing works as well for their pet as it does for them, according to new data.

A new survey from Realtor.com® finds that buyers with pets often evaluate homes through an animal-first lens, prioritizing features like a secure outdoor space, durable interiors, and communities where pets are allowed.

It’s not surprising to the agents who regularly see these trade-offs play out in real time.

“I've never seen a child influence a house decision no matter what they've thought of it,” says Jeff Lichtenstein, a broker with more than 25 years of experience. “A pet, however, has much more influence.”

“I see pet needs influence decisions all the time,” echoes Miltiadis Kastanis, executive director of sales at Compass. “A buyer might really like a home, but if it does not feel right for their pet, whether it is the lack of outdoor space or the overall environment, they will walk away.”

The new research from Realtor.com backs them up. For many buyers, pets were not a side consideration but a real force in the home search—one strong enough to shape decisions and even justify paying more for the right features.

What makes a pet-friendly home?

The survey drew from a mix of first-time homebuyers, repeat buyers, and sellers across the country, with pets that included dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish, hamsters, and guinea pigs.

For all that variety, their answers pointed to a strikingly consistent definition of what makes a home truly pet-friendly: secure outdoor space, durable and easy-to-clean interiors, and neighborhoods or developments where pets are clearly allowed.

Outdoor space came up repeatedly, especially when it was enclosed. 

“Pet friendly means having a good-sized backyard that is secured well with a fence or wall,” said Katey, a millennial first-time homebuyer. 

Rhonda, a repeat buyer of the baby boomer generation, emphasized the same priority in pet terms, saying the yard needed to be large enough that her pets could “do zoomies without destroying furniture.”

Inside the home, respondents focused on surfaces and layouts that could hold up to everyday wear and tear.

“We looked for homes with larger yards, scratch resistant floors, and neighbors who embraced pets,” said Kate, a Gen X repeat buyer. Others called out finishes that were easier to clean, safer for animals, or better suited to senior animals.

Some buyers had an even more detailed checklist. 

“A pet friendly home would have scratch resistant flooring, wall finishes that are easy to clean, built in nooks or feeding stations, and a mudroom and bathing station,” said Chi, a Gen X repeat buyer. 

And for some, the issue was not the home itself but the rules around it. “Pet friendly to me means that pets are allowed in the development,” said Brigette, a baby boomer repeat buyer.

Pets actively influenced which home they chose

Their responses suggest that pet-friendly isn't a throwaway listing term, but a concrete standard that shaped their home search. It’s something that Kastanis says he sees often, especially in the condo market.

“Pet policies are usually the first thing we look at before even setting up a showing, since restrictions can immediately rule out a property,” he says, adding that buyers are increasingly drawn to buildings that combine pet-friendly rules with practical conveniences, especially easy access to outdoor space.

One such example is Vestra, a luxury apartment complex in Las Vegas where developers prioritized communal dog runs, a resort-style dog park, and professional grooming facilities for its four-legged residents. 

“You can walk out the front door and take your dog for a walk and run into neighbors or friends,” Jim Stuart, part of the team behind the project, told Realtor.com last year.

The survey responses suggest those considerations can be decisive features for pet owners.

“I definitely looked for outdoor space where my cat would be able to go outside but be protected by a fence or screen. Also windows he could sit in or see out. I was drawn to open loft space so he could look down,” said Tara, a Gen X first-time homebuyer. 

Stacei, a Gen X repeat buyer, was even more explicit about how much her pets narrowed the field: “My pets had a large impact on the selection of my current home. I honestly wouldn’t have even looked at a place if it didn’t have a decent sized yard and enough space for my pets to run around comfortably.”

Buyers are willing to pay up for their pets

And when buyers find those features, some are willing to pay more for them, the research found—a reality that agents say mirrors what they see in home searches every day.

“Buyers are willing to pay more for homes that already work for their pets,” says Kastanis. “A house with a fenced yard or a layout that does not require changes can make a big difference, especially when inventory is tight and buyers want something that feels move-in ready.”

But the strongest premium appears to be attached to practical features that reduce friction from day one.

“I would pay more for a property that had a fenced in backyard and decent sized backyard,” said Paul, a Gen X repeat buyer.

In some ways, it echoes what’s long been known about buying and selling a home: Some features fetch you more than others.

Research from the National Association of Realtors® found that homeowners most valued remodeling outcomes tied to improved functionality and livability (28%) and durable, long-lasting materials and appliances (23%)—the same practical qualities many pet-friendly buyers were prioritizing here.

Luxury vinyl plank, or LVP, is one example. Designed to mimic the look of hardwood while holding up better to scratches, messes, and daily wear, it came up repeatedly in the survey as a pet-friendly flooring choice.

“The LVP has been a game changer. So easy to maintain and a nonnegotiable going forward,” said Lori, a Gen X repeat buyer.

And that demand didn’t stop at closing. The survey found that while many buyers didn’t make major pet-related changes after move-in, others invested in upgrades that made the home more durable, convenient, or comfortable for their animals.

“We had the entire home refloored with scratch resistant flooring to keep our home beautiful and our dog out of trouble,” said Chi. Cory, a millennial first-time buyer said, “I put in a dog door so they can go outside at their convenience.”

Even then, some buyers were still imagining what else a truly pet-centered home could include—touches like a catio (a cat patio), pet-cleaning stations, and other spaces tailored to their animal’s needs. It's a reminder that for some, a home isn't only about function—it's also about creating a little luxury for their pets, too.