Thursday, January 2, 2014

Is Fido Also a Landlord’s Best Friend? Surprising Answer


Many Metairie landlords are automatically less than enthusiastic when they hear a prospective tenant’s question, “Do you allow pets?” Small wonder. The specter of damage from unsupervised four-footed co-inhabitants is a real possibility (despite the assurances of their doting masters). 
Yet that kind of automatic landlord reaction might turn out to actually result in a questionable business decision. Some undeniably real benefits can accrue to those who open their Metairie rental home to tenants who own pets.
Don’t believe it? Here are just some of the reasons why renting a home to a strong applicant with a well-cared-for, healthy pet can benefit both parties:
1.      Widens the Number of Potential Candidates    Allowing pets into a rental home materially increases the eligible applicant pool, giving an Metairie rental home owner more latitude to select the best applicant. How many more become eligible? I checked this, and came up with jaw-dropping numbers. 47% of households own at least one dog (not to mention the 95,000,000 million owned cats). The numbers prove what we know already: a huge number of Americans are ga-ga over their pets.  
2.      Respectful Tenants     A Firepaw.org survey comparing pet owners with non-animal-owning tenants showed that, on average, damage done to rental properties is about equal between the two groups. The takeaway from that is the biggest surprise: just because pets are living in your rental home in Metairie doesn’t mean that the property will suffer. It seems that grateful pet-loving renters just try harder to keep the property in good condition. They do the worrying for you.
3.      Higher Rent     Renters with pets can be willing to pay some additional rent for the privilege of keeping their furry loved ones with them. Pet-owning renters are not likely to shy away from Metairie rental home listings that specifically allow pets — even when a “pet rent” or other fee is part of the bargain.

If you are considering buying an income property next year, I provide resources for my clients every step of the way. I hope you’ll feel free to contact me anytime with your Metairie real estate questions.

Terez Harris NOLA Real Estate Group
(504)297-2619
www.TerezHarris.com
Harris.Terez@gmail.com






Keller Williams Realty New Orleans 8601 Leake Ave. New Orleans, LA 70118 504-862-0100
Each office independently owned and operated. All brokers licensed in the state of Louisiana.

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