![\"cat-tabby-lookin-at-you\"](\"http:\/\/www.zoocasa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/5110231975_41ce19ef23_b-300x199.jpg\")
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I\u2019m a cat person.<\/p>\n
I love their furry little faces and funny little meows and even their weird running around the house for no reason. I don\u2019t love how they (and all pets) can be extreme divas, needing constant care and special purchases. (And don\u2019t get me started on cat hair and allergens in the carpet.)<\/p>\n
Essentially, pets are a serious consideration when buying a home. You may think they\u2019ll just fit into whatever set-up you create in your new home, but there are a bunch of things you should look into, for your cat or dog\u2019s sake.<\/p>\n
Check condo regulations<\/strong><\/p>\n As silly as it is, some condo buildings explicitly prohibit pets in the condominium corporation\u2019s declaration and rules. Although rental agreements are different and don\u2019t have much weight, the Condominium Act permits this declaration.<\/p>\n That said, there have been cases taken to court where rulings opposed these declarations, allowing the owner to have pets. However, getting on the bad side of your condo\u2019s board is probably not the best course of action, especially when you\u2019re looking to buy.<\/p>\n Speak with your agent before you begin your search to ensure they\u2019re only showing units that allow pets, to avoid wasted time. And if it hasn\u2019t been explicitly said, ask for the condo\u2019s status certificate, which will detail regulations around pets.<\/p>\n Specific to dogs<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re a dog owner, you know that dogs require space to shake off all that excess energy.<\/p>\n In a house, you\u2019ll want easy access to a yard, with a possible doggy-door (because how cute is that). In a condo, you\u2019ll want to Google the nearest doggy parks. Some are even off-leash areas, so a nearby unit could be worth a bit extra to let your pup enjoy the exercise.<\/p>\n If we\u2019re getting really fancy, some condos have public pet spas, so you don\u2019t have to bathe and groom your dog in the tub.<\/p>\n Also, when looking at potential homes, don\u2019t bring your dog with you. Some people think that the dog will let them know if they like a home, but that\u2019s going a bit too far. Some sellers will be put off by the gesture and you don\u2019t want to give them any reason to choose a different buyer.<\/p>\n Specific to cats<\/strong><\/p>\n Cats can co-exist with you in a much smaller space than dogs, but that\u2019s not to say they don\u2019t need room.<\/p>\n Likely most importantly, make sure the new home has a place for the litterbox. Even a covered box has a strong odour, and some small condos have very few options to hide the sandbox.<\/p>\n Also, because cats shed a lot more than dogs, wall-to-wall carpeting could be a big problem. While you may vacuum often and not know the difference, visitors with allergies will be more prone to sneeze attacks with dander and allergens caught in carpet fibres. Carpets also trap odours, which could affect your resale down the road.<\/p>\n Lastly, cats prefer accessible windows with ledges, so some smaller or atypical condos won\u2019t be the best place for your feline friend.<\/p>\n