Buying Your First Home? What Dog Owners Need to Ask When Buying Real Estate in Dayton, Ohio

1. August 30, 2017 Buying Your First Home? What Dog Owners Need to Ask When Buying Real Estate in Dayton, Ohio Man's best friend may well be an exclusive buyer's agent's best friend as well. A significant number of young homebuyers are putting dog-friendly features on top of their list of necessities. According to a recent survey, 33 percent of millennials—ages 18 to 36—on the hunt for houses are prioritizing features that can accommodate the needs of their current and future canine friends. Among the most sought-after amenities are sizeable, fenced yards and nearby dog facilities, such as animal clinics, grooming salons, and doggy daycare centers. Page | 1

2. They also place importance on gaining easy access to dog-friendly commercial establishments, such as cafes and restaurants, as well as parks or beaches allowing dogs. The study boldly predicts that dogs possess the power to change the real estate market game, with 80 million pet-loving millennials buying their first homes within the next five years. Why Dog Owners Nix Apartments or Condos Dog owners are opting for homes over renting an apartment or condo because of pet policies invoked by the latter. The few rentals that do allow dogs enforce very strict rules on the size and breed of dogs you can keep. In Ohio, state statutes determine if your dog's breed is a dangerous one. While local ordinances can restrict how many dogs you can own and keep—all while charging a noticeable fee for keeping a dog. For example, renters in Dayton, Ohio are required to pay hefty pet deposits that can amount to $200 or more annually, which is on top of other monthly fees. They are also required by the county to register their dogs as soon as they are three months old. Dogs must also wear a county-issued tag and be kept on a leash in public at all times. Failure to comply with these rules will result in paying additional fees to the local government. Expensive fees and breed restrictions aside, real estate buyers in Dayton, Ohio are choosing to buy homes instead of renting for the benefit of their furry companions. While all dogs need exercise, a large yard, for example, especially serves the needs of high-energy breeds, including beagles, Yorkshire terriers, and labradors who need at least 1-2 hours of daily exercise. Ask Your Exclusive Buyer's Agent These Questions First, ask your exclusive buyer's agent if he or she is also a dog owner. This way, you can be assured the agent, a fellow dog parent, will be more attuned to your needs in a home. For example, if you own an older dog, the agent can quickly narrow down the list of home prospects, such as those without stairs, to stem the dog's tide of arthritis. Also ask your agent how many buyers he or she has helped find a canine-amenable home. Experience speaks—or barks—volumes. Agents with many home-happy clients and dogs will more quickly and Page | 2

3. proficiently find dog-friendly neighborhoods and navigate city ordinances on pets to make your search easier overall. About Buyer's Corner Realty: Run by the highly-skilled team of Bob and Janis Powers, Buyer's Corner Realty is the first and preferred exclusive buyer's representative in the Dayton, Ohio area. With our philosophy hinged on experience and integrity, real estate clients in Dayton, Ohio are assured of excellence in every step of your homebuying experience. Sources: Dogs trump marriage, kids for young buyers of first homes, Cnbc.com When the Dog Decides Where You Live, Nytimes.com Page | 3