CAMPBELL, Calif., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sending Rover
to the doghouse is no longer the punishment it once was because
many of today's pooches of panache live lifestyles of the woof and
famous. According to a recent review of properties by Move, Inc.
(Nasdaq: MOVE), the leader in online real estate, man's best friend
today receives more than just bones for treats as many homeowners
are rewarding their dogs with custom-built doghouses, deluxe dog
runs, custom "doggy-doors", pet-friendly landscaping, private
patios with personal fire hydrants, and other features that add
value to their master's property with many buyers.
"Pets have become important members of the family, and their
needs are often high on the list of must-haves for many buyers,
sometimes even higher than priorities of the two-legged members of
the family," says, Eileen Healy at
Prudential Rocky Mountain Realtors® in Colorado. "Calling out features or local
pet-friendly amenities can make or break a buyer's interest in a
particular property. If a buyer knows a home they love already has
features the family dog or pet will also love, they'll be more
inclined to give that home a second look and consider it more than
others on their list."
While proximity to dog parks, doggy day-care centers, or pet
fashion stores are often priorities for dog owners interested in
city properties, suburban properties generally have ample space for
seemingly unusual pet-friendly features. For the sophisticated
canines, this Victorian dog house that matches this $10,995,000
home listed on Realtor.com in California is a must see. If country living is
for you and your 'dawg' needs a warm place to chill after a long
day of sheepherding on the prairie, consider a heated doghouse with
a deluxe dog run listed on Realtor.com at $520,000 in Idaho. Or,
for pooches in need of alone time or a quiet space, consider this
secluded cottage on Realtor.com at $524,000 in Illinois.
While spaces customized to a dog's specific needs are not
uncommon according to Shari Guess, a
Realtor with Buy Wise Real Estate in Texas and active member of the Great Dane
Rescue of North Texas, many dog lovers do go the extra mile when it
comes to creating a pet-friendly environment at home.
"We have one particularly enormous Dane named Sampson, and we
couldn't find a pet door big enough. So we made our own out
of a semi-truck mud flap. It's a few years old now so we'll be
duplicating our efforts and replacing it soon," said Guess. "We
also put in a small outdoor patio so when it's muddy Sampson and
our other dogs can go outside for whatever reason and come back
into the house without us having to wipe 16 muddy paws! It has a
short three-foot fence, pea-gravel with fire hydrant and can be
accessed via the dog door from the dog room."
As the nation heads into the Dog Days of Summer, and in honor of
National Dog Day on August 26th, Move
celebrates man's best friend with information, tips and guides from
pet experts and top Realtors specializing in pet-friendly homes.
Whether it's building a pooch palace or installing a bone-shaped
pool, Move offers advice on how to celebrate your canine and
improve the value pet-loving buyers will give your property as they
search for their next home. Interesting topics available now for
pet lovers and home enthusiasts to explore on the Move Network
include:
- Properties for sale with fantastic pet-friendly
features: As more people consider themselves "pet parents,"
Move showcases homes for sale perfect for adapting their lifestyles
to their furry family members.
- Dogs go green: Have you ever thought about your dog's
carbon "paw print"? Find easy ways to go green with your dog,
including using environmentally-friendly dog products like
biodegradable toys.
- Celebrity and presidential dog homes: Celebrities love
to shower their dogs with love, affection… and doghouses. Heard
about Paris Hilton's two-story
kennel mansion built for Tinkerbell? Or what about Drew Barrymore
naming her dog 'Flossie' in her property trust valued at
$3 million?
- Realtor tips on benefits of pet-friendly homes: Realtors
share experiences in working with pet owners in the market for a
home and explain that Fido plays a larger role in finding a home
then one might think.
- How-to build a doghouse: Want to build an abode for Fido
on a budget? Here are steps required, tools needed, and
instructions for building a doghouse for under $75.00.
- Moving tips for your pet: Moving can be stressful for
pets, so prepare a room for your pooch while you're packing
everything up, ensuring hazardous materials are tucked away. Find a
vet near your new home and a list of pet-friendly hotels in case
you need to stay at one while getting settled into the new
place.
- Streets named after famous dogs: Wondering how some
streets were named? The famous dog Nipper in the RCA Victrola ads
lived in Bristol, England, and
visitors there will find a small road named "Nipper Alley."
- Landscaping tips to create a pet-haven in the yard: Is
your garden going to the dogs? Man's best friend can be a
gardener's worst headache until you learn how to peacefully coexist
with your canine companions.
- The Top 10 Dog Parks in the U.S.: If you love to play at
the park with your dog, you'll love Dog Fancy's list of top
10 dog parks. The Jackass Acres K-9 Korral in New River, AZ topped the list this year; it is
completely green, and recycles dog waste to create other usable
materials.
- Pet friendly hotels: Traveling with your dog has never
been easier, as hotels across the country are increasingly offering
pet-friendly rooms and activities. According to www.BringFido.com,
some of the most popular cities for pet travel include Myrtle Beach, SC and Santa Barbara, CA.
- Pet friendly apartments: Finding an apartment that
allows dogs is not always easy. Check out the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in your area, you'll probably find
a list of local pet-friendly landlords.
In addition to offering expert advice on pet-friendly
properties, Move, Inc., has partnered with top breeders at Breeders
USA in California to provide facts
and statistics relative to top breeds by city, and the most popular
breeds in America.
"We're pleased Move is helping homeowners identify ways to
transform a home into a pet-friendly environment because it's a
great way to maintain a pet's health and vitality," said
Daniel Hect, Master Dog Trainer and
owner of BreedersUSA.com in California. "By identifying the needs of your
pet while you're searching for your next home, whether it's
with an outdoor play area or "doggy-doors," the property is not
only enhanced esthetically, but the upgrades can also become a
viable marketing feature when selling or buying a home."
As part of the campaign, Move, Inc is pawing to get a glimpse
into the most luxurious doggy dwellings by asking pet owners to
submit their favorite photo of their pets' home on the Realtor.com
Facebook Fan Page and be entered to win $250 gift certificate for Petco. Visit Move.com,
Realtor.com/blogs or join facebook.com/realtor.com for additional
details on the Dog Days of Summer campaign!
ABOUT MOVE, INC.
Move, Inc. (NASDAQ:MOVE) is the leader in online real estate
with 11.8 million(1) monthly visitors to its online network of web
sites. Move, Inc. operates: Move.com, a leading destination for
information on new homes and rental listings, moving, home and
garden and home finance; REALTOR.com®, the official web site of the
National Association of REALTORS®; Moving.com; SeniorHousingNet;
and TOP PRODUCER Systems. Move, Inc. is based in Campbell, California.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements,
including information about management's view of Move's future
expectations, plans and prospects, within the safe harbor
provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the results of
Move, its subsidiaries, divisions and concepts to be materially
different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These
risk factors and others are included from time to time in documents
Move files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
but not limited to, its Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks. Other
unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse
effects on Move's future results. The forward-looking statements
included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof.
Move cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity,
performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Move
expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any
forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or
circumstances.
(1) comScore Media Metrix, June
2010
SOURCE Move, Inc.
Copyright . 12 PR Newswire