According to recent research conducted by Zillow, a significant number of Gen Z adults prioritize the needs of their pets over their partners, children, or future children when purchasing a home.

According to the survey, 60% of Gen Z adults, or 3 in 5, deem certain pet-friendly amenities as necessary when purchasing a home. Approximately 48% believe that a fenced backyard is a non-negotiable feature, in contrast to 28% who consider a double sink in the primary bathroom as vital, and 35% who prioritize a home office for their partner.

In comparison, a smaller proportion of Gen Z adults would view features that cater to children’s needs as essential, such as a playroom (24%) or an outdoor play set (11%).

When faced with the decision, a majority of Gen Z pet owners (55%) prioritize a pet-friendly home over a kid-friendly one (45%) when buying a house. Furthermore, over one-fifth of Gen Z pet owners (22%) would consider moving out of their current residence if it no longer suited their pet’s needs, compared to just 12% who would want to move if their partner’s needs were no longer being met.

Pets have always been regarded as part of the American family, but there was a significant surge in pet ownership during the pandemic. According to Zillow’s Consumer Housing Trends Report, 73% of homebuyers have pets, which is a substantial increase from the 64% of homebuyers who owned pets in 2020.

Such is the fondness of Americans for their pets that 13% of pet owners living with a partner would choose to share their primary bedroom with their pet instead of their partner.

Pets can significantly influence one’s home preferences. Zillow’s previous research suggests that pet owners tend to purchase more spacious homes with additional bedrooms. Homebuyers who have pets tend to place greater importance on having a private outdoor area, with 73% of them considering it to be very or extremely significant. In contrast, only 65% of those who do not have pets value this feature as highly.

As the housing market cools down, prospective buyers searching for homes with pet-friendly features can still anticipate fierce competition. According to Zillow’s research, homes listed with a fenced backyard tend to sell almost three days quicker than similar properties, which is faster than listings highlighting a playroom.