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Business: 'Dogs are the new children for home buyers'
Owners look for dog-friendly neighborhoods when searching for a home

by Djuna Woods

As Jennifer Weintraub and her husband, Michael Yen, look for a new home, not only are they interested in neighborhoods with top-rated schools, friendly neighbors and good values. They also look for homes near dog parks and areas where they can take their dog to play.

With 39 percent of U.S. households owning at least one dog and annual spending on pets expected to exceed $40 billion, dogs have become the new children.

Dogs now have play dates, day care, hair appointments, spa treatments, personal dog walkers, chauffeurs and clothing boutiques. It's only natural that they have become an important consideration when it comes to buying a home.

As a "dog friendly" Realtor, I focus on meeting the needs of the entire family including the four-footed ones. When you have a dog, your real estate priorities change.

There are safety concerns, too. Finding a home on a quiet street or cul-de-sac is important if a dog has a tendency to escape. Having a securely fenced back yard with grass is also a priority for many dog owners.

There are interior design considerations as well. If there is an elderly dog, a two-story home might be a challenge. Many dog owners prefer hardwood floors to carpet for easy cleanup.

I encourage my clients to look for homes where there is an area near an entry where the dog can be contained and wiped down upon entry into the home.

I also suggest that my clients walk in the neighborhood wit

h their dogs before making an offer on a home. It is important that they see the reaction of neighbors and if there are any aggressive neighborhood dogs.

These little things may seem silly to non-dog owners. However, to dog owners these are major quality-of-life issues.

I recently launched Peninsula House Hound, which is focused on meeting the real estate needs of dogs and their owners. The Web site, www.peninsulahousehound.com, offers a search tool that enables users to map homes on the market near dog parks.

The site also lists local dog resources such as vets, doggie day care, groomers and pet boutiques, so buyers know what services are in the vicinity of their potential new home.

I created a blog, www.househoundblog.com, where I review local dog parks, announce community dog events, address dog-related real estate questions, and highlight dog-friendly new listings. I also moderate the Peninsula Dog Owners Yahoo group, where Peninsula dog owners can share information about vets, dog walkers, dog parks and dog friendly neighborhoods. The Web link is groups.yahoo.com

About the author: Djuna Woods lives in Menlo Park with her Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Bucky. She works at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage at 800 El Camino Real, Suite 300, in Menlo Park.