The Question I Ask Every Buyer (Before You Even See the House)

When someone reaches out to me about finding their next home, I ask a lot of questions.

What do you do? What's your day actually like? What matters to you about your neighborhood? Do you have pets? What does a "good morning" look like in your ideal home?

Most agents ask location, price, square footage. I ask because finding the right house matters too much to guess. The right home isn't just about numbers on a listing. It's about the life you're actually going to live there. And I can't help you find that if I don't really know what that life looks like.

Pets are part of that picture. But they're not the whole story.

The Moment I Realized This Mattered

Last year, a couple came to me looking for their "forever home." On paper, we found it—a beautiful split-level with a big backyard, great schools, perfect price point. But when I mentioned they'd mentioned having a rescue dog with anxiety, something clicked.

"Wait," the wife said. "Does the neighborhood have a lot of foot traffic? Are there other dogs? What's the fencing really like—is it secure?"

We ended up looking at a different house entirely. Same price range, but it backed up to a wooded area, had solid privacy fencing, and was on a quieter street. When they closed on that home three months later, they sent me a photo: their rescue dog asleep in a sunny patch on the kitchen floor, finally peaceful.

That photo is why I do this work.

What Most Home Searches Get Wrong

Here's what I see happen over and over: buyers (and sellers) focus on all the standard stuff—location, condition, schools, commute. Those things matter. But they miss the details that make a house feel like your home.

If you have pets, this is even more critical:

• Fencing and yard layout — Not all backyards are created equal. Some feel exposed, others feel safe.

• Flooring — Will hardwood scratch drive you crazy? Is the carpet pet-friendly?

• Neighborhood dynamics — Quiet or bustling? Dog-friendly culture or more uptight?

• Vet proximity and pet services — Where's the nearest emergency vet? Good groomers nearby?

• Escape routes and hazards — Could your pet slip out? Are there common escape issues in that neighborhood?

When I work with someone who has pets, I'm not just showing homes. I'm imagining your life there. The morning walks, the playtime, the peace of mind.

Why This Matters Even More When Selling

If you're selling and you have pets, this is your advantage, not your liability.

Buyers with pets get it. They see pet bowls in a kitchen and think, "Oh, this person understands." They see a worn patch in the backyard and recognize care, not neglect. They see a home that's lived in—and that's actually more relatable than a sterile showpiece.

But here's the thing: most sellers try to hide evidence of pets when selling, worried it'll turn people off. Instead, they often make the home feel less genuine.

I help clients show their home as it actually is—a place where life (and love for pets) happens. That attracts your buyers—the ones who'll cherish the home the way you did.

Here's What I Want You to Know

Whether you're buying or selling in Michigan, your home search shouldn't be a one-size-fits-all process. You have a life. You have people you love, maybe pets who are part of your family, dreams about what this next chapter looks like.

The right real estate agent takes all that into account.

I also believe something else: every home deserves to go to someone who'll truly appreciate it. And every person and pet deserves to find their right fit. That's why a portion of every closing I do supports rescue animals through Every Sale Saves a Tail. So when we find your home, we're also helping a shelter animal find theirs.

If this resonates with you—if you're thinking about buying or selling and want to work with someone who gets that homes are about more than transactions—I'd love to talk.

No pressure, no sales pitch. Just a conversation about what you're looking for and how I can help make this feel less overwhelming and more like the right move.

Reach out anytime. Call, text, or email—whatever feels easiest. I'm here.

AMG