Considering Your Pets When Home Buying

For those of you thinking about home buying with pets, one of your first considerations is whether your pet will be welcomed where you plan to buy.

Especially if you're considering a condo or townhome that is governed by a homeowner's association. One reader says she puts a clause in her purchase contracts making the purchase contingent on receiving written permission for her pets from the association. Because sometimes the guidelines can be vague, and you don't want to end up selling right after you bought because your pet is prohibited from living with you.

When I lived on a large R-2 lot in the Newport Heights neighborhood of Costa Mesa, CA, I accidentally ended up with a farm. It started with a goat -- because I didn't have time to walk a dog. Goats make excellent pets, in case you are wondering. A little old lady once stopped me in the park where I walked my Nubian goat to gush, "What a lovely Doberman." Every time I went to the Feed Barn to buy alfalfa, I'd spot another pet, er, animal. By the time Animal Control came out, I had, in addition to the goat, an Angora rabbit, two turkeys, 12 baby Mallard ducklings and their parents, two Peking ducks, a big white duck named Donald and the troublemakers, the geese. Those were just the pets who lived outside.

I had to find them all new homes, a place where they wouldn't end up as dinner after being my pets for two years. It broke my heart.

Our pets are dependents. They rely on us to care for them and provide a warm, loving environment. Getting approval for your pets is only the first step, there are many more considerations when pet lovers buy a home . . . read more about home buying with pets.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub, click below:

• Pets and Home Remodels
  
• Buying With Bad Credit
  
• Hiring Buyer's Agents

_{©Elizabeth Weintraub}

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