PAWSitive Experience

Introduced a few years ago, our new "PAWStive Experience" program acknowledges the increasing role that pets play in home buying and selling transactions. Our program recognizes that every member of your family is important and should be considered in your next real estate move. In fact, we estimate that more than 25% of our sales involved families with pets. Our targeted program considers the growing role that "furry" family members are playing in real estate decisions.

Fun Facts about owners and their pets - New York, February 2, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX)

• A survey of U.S. dog owners has revealed some odd but common relationship traits, including one in seven people being jealous of their partner's dog.
  
• The American Kennel Club survey also found 34 percent of the women questioned agreed with the statement: "If my dog was a man, he'd be my boyfriend." With the genders reversed, 23 percent of men agreed.
  
• Nearly 90 percent of women found at least one quality in their dog that they'd like to see in the partner, such as perennial good mood, always being willing to spend time with you and always up for cuddling on the couch.
  
• The qualities men most admired were being as happy to hang at home as go out on the town, always greeting me enthusiastically when I get home, and not getting mad when I want to watch sports.
  
• "Dogs are so important to their owners that they can, in many instances, make or break a relationship," AKC spokeswoman Gail Miller told ABC News.

New figures just released from the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) 2005-2006 National Pet Owners Survey (NPOS) show pet ownership is currently at its highest level, with 63 percent of all U.S. households owning a pet which equates to more than 69 million households.

Most pet owners agree with what research has shown. According to the survey, nearly all pet owners say companionship, love, company and affection are the number one benefits to owning a pet. Fifty-nine percent say pets are good for their health and the health of their family and help them relax. Forty percent say that owning a dog motivates them to exercise on a regular basis. It is universally agreed that pet owners are health conscious, like to look their best, like to exercise with their pet, are happy and maintain a well organized home.

All this might be why pets are now an integral part of the family. Three-quarters of dog owners consider their dog like a child or family member and more than half of cat owners say the same.

Components of our "PAWSitive Experience" program include:

• Pet questionnaire that can be included with customized buyer and seller packages, and can be completed by McEnearney Associates as part of the initial consultation.
• PAWSitive Experience booklet including tips for moving with your pet, area pet laws, listing of Northern Virginia hotels accepting pets, area veterinarians, local dog parks and other applicable information for families with pets.
• Welcome Pet Packages complete with a "PAWSitive Experience" booklet, toys and treats

So, if you and your pets are considering making a move and you want to learn more about our program, please contact me.