When buying a home, you'll want to find a style that's right for your family. For many of us, that family includes a furry companion that comes with their own set of needs. If you own a pet, here are some tips to consider before you buy, to make sure everyone is happy and comfortable in their new home!
1. Review Local Bylaws
Each city or county has their own rules and regulations when it comes to owning a pet. If you live in Edmonton, the best resource is the city's website. There, you can find out the specific requirements and bylaws regarding pet ownership.
2. Ask for Apartment or Condominium Rules
While a single-family home gives owners more flexibility in what type of pet they can own, a townhouse, apartment, or condominium may have stricter rules. Before moving into any of these options, check the townhouse or condo board rules and regulations. Some condominiums allow pets but have you pay a fee, while others may only allow pets of a certain size.
3. Proximity to Off-Leash Areas
You may find the perfect home, but the yard is too small for your large dog to run around. Before you pass on your choice completely, make sure to see if there is a nearby off-leash park. Edmonton has many off-leash areas around the city. These are safe places for your dog to run and can also be great places to meet other dog lovers! This way, it's possible to get the home you love and the space your pet needs.
4. Type of Flooring
They may be cute, but they can also be messy! This is most evident on your floors, as many pets tend to scratch, drool, and shed. Before purchasing a home, keep in mind what type of flooring will best suit your pet's needs. If you want durable floors, consider tile, concrete, laminate, or vinyl. If you want wood floors, choose harder woods such as mahogany, maple, or oak. These are more resilient and won't easily scratch. Remember, if you choose carpet, pets are accident prone and may leave stains. If you want to have carpets in the home, choose ones that are low pile and stain resistant.
5. Supply Storage
Pets come with a lot of stuff. They have toys, beds, treats and food. Keep this in mind when looking at home models or floor plans, and make sure you'll have enough space for all of your pet's accessories. If storage space seems limited, it may just take a little creativity. There are plenty of organizing ideas for pet supplies that can even be incorporated into the décor of your home!
6. Pet-Friendly Floor Plans
It's important to find a home with enough space for your family. This includes your pets and you'll want them to feel at home wherever you settle. Each pet will have different needs and personalities. The model of a home will influence the type of life you and your pet will share. 
You want to make sure that your pet has enough room to run or move around comfortably, considering enough space for furniture too.
Some pets are smaller or older and not able to climb stairs. In that case, you might consider having your pet confined to one floor for easier mobility. One thing people overlook is the ability to add baby gates. Some homes are designed in a way that makes it hard to add gates or other barriers to keep your pet from a particular area. If you want your pet away from one part of the home, make sure your new home has a floor plan that allows for this.
If you want your pet to spend time outdoors, you'll want to look for a yard with a fence or consider having one built. Having such a feature will give you peace of mind and, as a bonus, it can add to the value of your home!
7. A Place to Wash
Especially after all the outdoor activities, pets need to be bathed regularly. To make this task more manageable, it's important to have a place in your home to wash your pet. Smaller pets can be washed in a tub. Whereas larger dogs may need a dedicated cleaning station. An outdoor faucet may also be useful amenity if you wish to keep pet hair from your bathtubs or wash basins.
8. A Place to Eat
Just like people, pets like to have a dedicated feeding area. Walk around any potential home to see where your pet may enjoy eating. Once you find the perfect spot, make sure it has room for food and water without getting in the way. Also, have a look around for a safe and out of reach area to store your pet's food.
Pets bring endless amounts of joy to our lives, so be sure to return the love by considering these factors before buying your new home. Not only will you find a place that feels like home, your pet will too.
