Homeownership and building a family with pets

Many pet owners, or “furrents,” treat their fur babies like their own children. They use pets as practice for when they finally decide to have children. So, when the time comes to grow the brood, potential homeowners consider their pets, who have become such a big part of their family, in their home buying decisions.

If you relate and are interested in buying a pet-friendly home, here are some tips for you.

What to consider when buying a pet-friendly home

Think about the location

For many soon-to-be parents, looking for an ideal home includes checking out possible schools within the area. But for furrents, scouting for a good home means making sure the area is also good for their fur babies as well.

This means the community or condominium should allow pets. It should also be near pet friendly areas as well as pet stores and veterinary clinics.

Low-maintenance flooring

Another thing to consider when shopping for a pet-friendly home is the flooring. Pets like dogs and cats will scratch and scuff hardwood flooring, while fur gets trapped in homes with carpet flooring.

Your best bet is something easy to clean like texture laminate, no slip tile, vinyl, bamboo, or even cork for your flooring.

Play area

If you have a dog, it’ll require a lot of space to run free and get the exercise it needs.

It’s best to look for homes that have a yard or garden, so your dog can walk around and explore without a leash. This area can also serve as a space to train your dog.

Spacious bedrooms

If you’re looking to buy a home for your growing family, you need to do so with the future in mind.

Think about how many children you want and how many bedrooms you need. How much space would each of you need to live comfortably along with your fur babies? Consider how much furniture, clothing, and décor you will accumulate throughout the years as well. This way, you’re sure to still have space to store the things you buy in the years to come.

Storage space

You want to buy a house with a lot of storage space, enough to keep what you currently have and still have space for what you may buy in the years to come.

Make sure you have a space dedicated just for your pet’s things, like their crate, food, shampoo, toys, and so on.

How to purchase your first home

Buying a home always involves a significant amount of money and will probably be the biggest investment you’ll ever make. To make it easier for you and your partner, you can look for a first-time home buyer home loan so you get special rates.

With a home loan, you can buy, construct, renovate, or customize your dream house sooner. Metrobank Home Loan lets you borrow up to 80% of the property’s appraisal value and avail of low interest rates of up to 25 years, depending on the loan purpose. On the other hand, the interest fixing period is up to five years.

Home loan requirements in the Philippines

For Philippine-based applicants, the requirements for a Metrobank Home Loan include: For employed individuals:

• Completely filled out and signed Metrobank Home Loan Application Form
• One valid government-issued ID (preferably passport)
• Certificate of Employment (COE) with compensation, position or job title and date employed or tenure.
• Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) or BIR Form (2316)
• Marriage contract, if applicable

For Overseas Filipino Workers:

• Completely filled out and signed Metrobank Home Loan Application
• Passport
• Certificate of Employment (COE) with compensation, position or job title, tenure, employer’s email (original if land-based OFW) or Latest POEA contract and Certificate of Sea Service with work history and tenure (if sea-based OFW)
• Three (3) months payslips/payroll bank statements
• Proof of monthly remittance for the last 6 months in the name of the OFW or his immediate family members
• Marriage contract, if applicable

For self-employed individuals/business owners:

• Completely filled out and signed Metrobank Home Loan Application Form
• One valid government-issued ID (preferably passport)
• If Single Proprietorship, DTI Certificate of Registration or Business Permit
• If Corporation or Partnership, SEC Registration with Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws (or Articles of Partnership)
• Latest six months bank statement
• Two years Income Tax Return (ITR) and Audited Financial Statements
• If Corporation or Partnership, SEC Registration with Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws (or Articles of Partnership)
• Marriage contract, if applicable

Collateral requirements:

• Transfer certificate of title (TCT) / condominium certificate of title (CCT)
• Tax declaration on land and/or improvement (whichever is applicable)
• House plans / bill of materials / building specifications (for construction loans).
• Or if under developer tie-up, contract to sell or Reservation Agreement

Head to your nearest Metrobank branch with all your requirements to apply for a Metrobank Home Loan or visit our website to learn more.