These homes are set apart by their amenities — for dogs.
Standard Pacific Homes is building and selling homes in 27 developments from California to Florida, and the company is believed to be the first to offer a pet suite as an option.
The room is a 170-square-foot furry-friends paradise complete with a step-in wash station, handheld sprayer and leash lead; tile walls and floors; designated drying area with a commercial-size pet dryer; water station and automated feeders; large bunk-style bed; cabinets for toys, treats and food; stackable washer and dryer; French door that opens to a dog run; and a flat-screen television.
The company, based in Irvine, decided to offer the suites after conducting livability studies with homeowners. Pets were a constant theme, noted Jeffrey Lake, Standard Pacific’s vice president and national director of architecture.
“Devotion to pets is second to none,” he said. “They are family.”
The American Pet Products Association reports that 68 percent of Americans own animals and contribute to an industry worth more than $55 billion annually.
Real-estate officials say that while building homes from the ground up with special accommodations for Fido or Fluffy is a new concept, remodels for pet owners have been available for some time.
Adam Cowherd Construction in Ozark, Missouri, has been installing pet-friendly additions. Owner Cowherd points to a recent job that added an open shelf at the end of a kitchen island for pet bowls. “Owners want it uniquely functional, very contemporary and something that catches the eye,” he said, adding that only once in the last 10 years has he been asked to build a whole room for a pet.
Melanie Dean, who lives with her family in a Standard Pacific home near Dallas, purchased a pet package for their dog, Lola. Having a room just for her “makes life much easier,” Dean said. “We don’t have to use the kitchen sink to wash yucky stuff anymore.”
Standard Pacific Homes’ newest community — Avignon at Blackstone in Brea — features homes that start at $710,000, with the pet spa option adding about $35,000 to the price, Lake said.
Only the largest suite is available in Brea, but other communities offer smaller sizes and prices, starting at 60 square feet for $8,000, he said.
Potential buyers are even bringing their dogs to some of the model grand openings, said Danielle Tocco, the company’s director of communications.
Around 70 percent of those looking for a home have pets, said Mollie Carmichael, principal at John Burns Real Estate Consulting in Irvine.
Pet adoptions are frequently held at model grand openings as well, in the event someone didn’t have a dog but wanted one.
Lest cat owners feel excluded, things can be amended for them, such as building in scratching posts throughout.
Those looking to sell their homes may find pet additions to be a benefit, as animal-friendly washrooms make great multipurpose mud rooms, which always attract buyers.
