High-end pet features for your home

For many, pets are family – and more and more, they’re shaping the way homes are designed, marketed, and sold. Homebuyers are increasingly looking for properties that cater not just to humans, but also to their furry companions. The question is, do built-in pet features actually add value to a home?

Generally speaking, Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, explains that well-designed and thoughtful pet features can enhance the appeal of a home, but the impact depends on how they are integrated and what kind of market your home is appealing to.

“Built-in pet features won’t appeal to every kind of buyer, so it’s important to understand the interests of your market. Pet-friendly features can add value when they are seamlessly integrated into the design – like a built-in pet shower in the garage or laundry room – or, when they remain adaptable or easy to reverse, ensuring non-pet owners can repurpose the space without issue. This could take the form of floor height drawers hidden in kitchen cabinetry or under island counters to help keep food bowls out of the way and maintain a tidy appearance,” Goslett explains.

However, Goslett warns that value can be diminished if the features are overly customized—such as a pet bedroom that sacrifices essential living space—or if they appear as low-quality, DIY additions that detract from the overall aesthetic. “If you are going to add a built-in pet feature, the key is to do it well and to consider carefully how it affects the rest of the living space,” he cautions.

The luxury housing market is often where bespoke pet features are most appreciated – usually because these kinds of homes have the space to accommodate these features without impacting on living space. Talitha Finkay of RE/MAX Living (the number one RE/MAX multi-office in Southern Africa) specializes in Cape Town’s luxury market—particularly along the Atlantic Seaboard and in the City Bowl. “I’ve had the privilege of assisting some of the city’s most discerning clients in finding their perfect homes. And as a proud activist and motivator in puppy rescue and adoption, I’ve come to appreciate how often these two worlds intersect,” she notes.

Based on her insights, RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares the top three pet-friendly features that could add value to a home:

#1: Durable, Pet-Resistant Flooring

Scratch-resistant, waterproof flooring such as luxury vinyl plank or sealed concrete makes homes more resilient to daily wear and tear—beneficial for all owners, not just pet parents.

“Flooring is another consideration —clients often request claw-friendly surfaces to protect delicate wood finishes,” says Finkay.

#2: Secure garden and pet doors
A securely enclosed garden is a priority not just for pet owners, but also as a security factor. Raising the wall height and making sure exterior walls are solid and secure can be a great value-add. Bonus points for built-in pet doors that offer freedom without compromising security. These days you can even add a smart part door that only opens for your pet.

#3 Pet-friendly apartments
“There’s also a noticeable rise in demand for pet-friendly apartments. In transactions I’ve handled, the purchaser has made the purchase subject to body corporate approval of the pet. It’s no longer just about whether pets are allowed—it’s about whether the space works for the pet’s lifestyle,” says Finkay.

If you can showcase that not only does the complex allow pets, but the apartment itself is also suitable to home pets comfortably, then you could greatly impact the resale value of the property.

“Helping buyers find a property that feels like home—for everyone in the family, paws included—is one of the most fulfilling parts of my work. Luxury real estate may be my profession, but championing pet adoption and ensuring animals find safe, happy homes will always be my passion,” says Finkay.

Issued by: Kayla Ferguson