Invest
Aussies choose fur babies over family and friends
Australians prioritise pet-friendliness over proximity to family and friends when looking for a new home, research has found.
Aussies choose fur babies over family and friends
Australians prioritise pet-friendliness over proximity to family and friends when looking for a new home, research has found.

Suncorp’s Home Index Report asked 1,600 Australians what home features and lifestyle factors are important to them when buying a new home.
The research found that Australians place more importance on the home’s pet-friendliness rather than its proximity to family (46 per cent) and friends (39 per cent).
Suncorp’s EGM, lending, Glenn Haslam said the findings indicate that pets are becoming more important members of the family.
“Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, so there is no question, pets are adored members of the modern Australian family,” Mr Haslam said.

Younger generations are more likely to value their pet’s environment, with 59 per cent of those aged 18 to 34 placing added importance on it when purchasing a new home.
“It can be difficult to find a home that ticks all of the boxes, so buyers need to make sacrifices and prioritise what’s most important to keep within budget – and this can sometimes mean living further away from friends and family,” Mr Haslam continued.
Ray White New Farm principal Matt Lancashire explained that dog and cat-friendly properties tend to have higher sale prices and more rental applications.
“One of the main questions we get asked by potential buyers is if it is a pet-friendly building. If a building is pet-friendly, there’s certainly a positive impact on price due to increased competition,” Mr Lancashire said.
About the author

About the author


Property
North platform adds household reporting feature to boost adviser efficiency
AMP's North platform has launched consolidated household reporting across multiple client accounts, helping financial advisers streamline their client review processes. Read more

Property
What Adds The Most Value To Properties?
Wondering how to up the value of your property? Properties are worth a lot of money in general, but there’s always a way to maximise value. The good news is that most of the things you can do to ...Read more

Property
Centuria reports strong growth in alternative real estate sectors for FY24
Centuria Capital Group has reported significant growth in alternative real estate sectors for the 2024 financial year, driving stable performance and increased guidance for FY25. Read more

Property
How to leverage equity in your home for investment or renovation
Home equity, the value of your property minus any debts owed, is a powerful financial resource many homeowners in Australia can utilize to further their financial goals. Whether you're looking to ...Read more

Property
Exploring REITs: Real estate investment without buying property
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) offer a compelling investment alternative for those interested in the real estate market but may not want to endure the complexities and capital requirements of ...Read more

Property
Retirement communities: a pivotal element in meeting Australia's housing targets
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has recommended that retirement communities should be considered a vital part in the Australian Government's initiative to fulfill the Housing Australia Future Fund ...Read more

Property
Australians adjust financial strategies amid changing property market dynamics
The 2023 calendar year saw Australian borrowers acquiring a total of $300.9 billion in new loans for property purchases, marking a 12.7% decrease from the previous year. Read more

Property
Split home loans unlocking doors for Aussie buyers
Australians are teaming up to dive into the real estate market and seize the advantages of home ownership, with the trend of split home loans surging as family and friends unite to buy properties ...Read more

Property
North platform adds household reporting feature to boost adviser efficiency
AMP's North platform has launched consolidated household reporting across multiple client accounts, helping financial advisers streamline their client review processes. Read more

Property
What Adds The Most Value To Properties?
Wondering how to up the value of your property? Properties are worth a lot of money in general, but there’s always a way to maximise value. The good news is that most of the things you can do to ...Read more

Property
Centuria reports strong growth in alternative real estate sectors for FY24
Centuria Capital Group has reported significant growth in alternative real estate sectors for the 2024 financial year, driving stable performance and increased guidance for FY25. Read more

Property
How to leverage equity in your home for investment or renovation
Home equity, the value of your property minus any debts owed, is a powerful financial resource many homeowners in Australia can utilize to further their financial goals. Whether you're looking to ...Read more

Property
Exploring REITs: Real estate investment without buying property
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) offer a compelling investment alternative for those interested in the real estate market but may not want to endure the complexities and capital requirements of ...Read more

Property
Retirement communities: a pivotal element in meeting Australia's housing targets
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has recommended that retirement communities should be considered a vital part in the Australian Government's initiative to fulfill the Housing Australia Future Fund ...Read more

Property
Australians adjust financial strategies amid changing property market dynamics
The 2023 calendar year saw Australian borrowers acquiring a total of $300.9 billion in new loans for property purchases, marking a 12.7% decrease from the previous year. Read more

Property
Split home loans unlocking doors for Aussie buyers
Australians are teaming up to dive into the real estate market and seize the advantages of home ownership, with the trend of split home loans surging as family and friends unite to buy properties ...Read more