Your Pet Is Already Part of Your Home Search - You Just May Not Realize It
Here's something that might not surprise you: when you start mentally touring a home listing, you're probably already picturing your dog in the backyard. You're wondering whether the yard is fenced. You're calculating the drive to the nearest dog park. You're thinking about whether the neighborhood feels walkable enough for morning routines with your pup.
That instinct is backed by data. According to the National Association of REALTORS' 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 19% of all home buyers factored their pet directly into their neighborhood selection. Among unmarried couples, that number climbs to 24%. And the American Pet Products Association reports that total U.S. pet industry spending has grown from $53.3 billion in 2012 to $152 billion in 2024 — a number that reflects just how central pets have become to American family life.
Pet ownership itself has surged. In 2025, roughly 71% of U.S. households own at least one pet — and for the first time in recorded history, more American households have pets than children under 18. This isn't just a lifestyle trend; it's reshaping what buyers want from their homes and their communities.
The good news if you're looking in Franklin, Tennessee: this community was built for exactly this kind of life.
Why Franklin, TN Is a Natural Fit for Pet-Owning Buyers
America's First "Better Cities for Pets" Pilot City
Franklin didn't just happen to become pet-friendly — it earned that distinction intentionally. In 2019, Franklin, Tennessee became the first city in the country to pilot the Better Cities for Pets program, a national initiative developed by Mars Petcare (whose corporate campus and global innovation center are based right here in Williamson County). Nearly 100 downtown businesses signed on with a shared pet code of conduct, consistent pet-welcoming signage, and in-store education materials. The city also installed pet waste stations throughout the downtown core.
That foundation has only grown. The program now includes more than 180 certified cities nationwide, but Franklin remains the city that started it all. Brentwood followed with its own Better Cities for Pets certification in 2020 and was recertified in 2022. When a community invests in this kind of infrastructure, it signals something meaningful to buyers: pets aren't an afterthought here.
An Expanding Network of Parks and Trails
If your dog could weigh in on the home search, proximity to green space would be the non-negotiable. Franklin and Williamson County are delivering on that in a big way right now.
The City of Franklin recently broke ground on The Pearl, a 180-acre park located between I-65 and Carothers Parkway. The park will include a 12-foot-wide trail, five athletic fields, a 20,000-square-foot inclusive playground, and connection to Robinson Lake — which adds another 60+ acres of space. When complete, The Pearl and Robinson Lake together will surpass Harlinsdale Farm (approximately 200 acres of open, historic green space in the heart of Franklin) as the city's largest park. That's a remarkable amount of outdoor space for a growing city.
Franklin also recently opened the $11 million Bicentennial Park, a 14-acre downtown park with a covered pavilion, amphitheater, picnic areas, and a trail that connects all the way to Harlinsdale. For pet owners who love to walk, this means you can walk with your dog from Bicentennial Park through downtown and out to Harlinsdale — a genuine destination trail in the middle of the city.
Across the county, Williamson County Parks and Recreation is currently developing a comprehensive multimodal trail master plan that will connect communities, greenways, the Harpeth River blueway, and equestrian trails. The county has engaged a national design firm and is working to use existing utility easements to connect neighborhoods and destinations in a way that will directly benefit property values along the corridor.
Dog parks specifically are well-distributed across the county. Franklin's Maggie's Bark Park offers two fenced sections for large and small dogs, agility equipment, and a quarter-mile walking trail. The Williamson County Animal Center Dog Park has double-gated entry, separate sections by size, covered shelters, agility obstacles, and waste stations. Coolsprings Dog Park provides shaded spots and easy access from the 96 corridor. Nolensville has Bark Park on Rocky Fork Road, and Spring Hill offers Barkley Park with agility equipment and indoor restrooms.
For those who love nature hiking with their dog, Harlinsdale Farm and the trails throughout the area give you a different experience from a traditional dog park — open fields, natural terrain, and room to breathe.
A Downtown That Invites You to Bring Your Pet
Franklin's downtown is genuinely walkable with your dog. Pet-welcoming restaurants include Scout's Pub (which hosts a regular Yappy Hour and raises funds for the Williamson County Animal Center), Izzy's Feel Good Food, Ruby Sunshine, and Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant — all with outdoor areas where dogs are welcome. A number of retail boutiques in downtown Franklin, including Finnleys Good Findings and Avec Moi, welcome leashed dogs inside.
This kind of integration matters to pet owners in ways that go beyond convenience. When a community is designed to include your pet in everyday life, it reduces the friction of ownership and increases quality of life in ways that are genuinely hard to quantify — but easy to feel.
What Pet Owners Should Prioritize in a Home Search
National research consistently identifies several home features that matter most to buyers with pets, and they translate directly to the Franklin and Williamson County market.
Fenced Yards
This is the number one priority for most buyers with dogs. Research from Zillow and Rover found that homes with fenced yards sell five days faster than expected — and 86% of dog owners say they would pay more to secure a home with a fenced yard or proximity to a dog park. When you're evaluating listings, pay attention not just to whether a yard is fenced, but to the fence height and material. A determined Lab or a small escape-artist dog may require something more substantial than a decorative split-rail.
Lot Size and Layout
Buyers with pets consistently trend toward larger lots. Research from Zillow found that 36% of buyers with pets purchased homes with four or more bedrooms, compared to just 24% of buyers without pets. A larger footprint typically means more outdoor space — and in Williamson County, you'll find that spread across everything from downtown Franklin townhomes with private courtyards to acreage properties in the southern parts of the county near Fairview and Thompson's Station.
Flooring and Interior Finishes
The 2024 Houzz Pets & Home Report found that approximately half of homeowners who renovated or upgraded their homes prioritized pet-friendly materials as part of the decision. Scratch-resistant hardwood, tile, and luxury vinyl plank are popular choices because they hold up under paws and claws. If you're buying a home with original hardwood floors, it's worth factoring in refinishing costs if the previous owners had pets. Conversely, sellers should be aware that buyers with pets often give credit to homes that already have durable, easy-clean surfaces.
Proximity to Veterinary Care
Franklin and Williamson County have strong veterinary infrastructure — an important practical consideration that many buyers overlook until they're in the middle of an emergency. When evaluating neighborhoods, think about drive time to your preferred vet, especially if your pet has chronic conditions or you travel frequently and need reliable boarding options. The county's pet services infrastructure (including grooming, day care, boarding, and training) has expanded significantly alongside population growth.
Proximity to Trails and Parks
According to NAR, buyers who consider their pets in neighborhood selection are significantly more likely to prioritize walkability, proximity to parks, and access to outdoor recreation — not just for their own enjoyment, but because their pets need it. In Franklin, this translates to looking at neighborhoods that offer direct greenway access, proximity to Harlinsdale, the Pearl (once complete), or any of the county's dog parks.
HOA Pet Policies
This one catches buyers off guard more often than almost anything else. Many communities in Williamson County have homeowners associations, and HOA documents can include restrictions on pet breeds, weight limits, the number of pets allowed, and even requirements about containment. Before you fall in love with a home, I always recommend reviewing the HOA's Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) carefully — and I can help you evaluate those documents as part of the due diligence process.
A Note for Renters With Pets in Franklin
Rental policy around pets remains one of the most significant pain points in the Williamson County housing market. According to NAR research, 68% of buyers surveyed said that their current rental's animal policies influenced their decision to purchase. If you're renting in Franklin and feel restricted by breed limitations, weight caps, or pet fees, you're not alone — and that friction is often what pushes pet owners from renting toward ownership faster than they expected.
Purchasing a home gives you the freedom to make your space work for your animals without permission from a landlord. For many pet owners in Franklin, that shift from renter to owner is less about the financial math and more about the quality of life math: for both you and the animals you share your life with.
Selling a Home in Franklin When You Have Pets
If you're on the selling side of this equation, it's worth knowing how buyers with pets perceive your property. Nationally, nearly 80% of consumers say that signs of a pet in a home would not deter them from purchasing. That said, there are practical steps that help you present your home at its best:
Deep-cleaning carpets and upholstered surfaces before listing is essential, as pet odor is one of the most common reasons buyers mentally check out of an otherwise strong showing. If your yard has visible wear from a dog running the same path repeatedly, some attention to lawn repair before listing can help. And while buyers are overwhelmingly pet-friendly themselves, temporarily relocating your pets for showings reduces distraction and lets buyers focus on the home itself.
The fenced yard your dog loves? That's a selling point — lean into it in your marketing.
Ready to Find a Home Your Whole Family Will Love?
Your pet is part of your family, and they deserve a home that fits. Whether you're relocating to Williamson County, upsizing for more yard space, or making the move from renting to owning so your animals can finally have the room they need, I'm here to help you find the right fit.
I work with buyers and sellers across Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Thompson's Station, and all of Williamson County. Let's find a home that works for every member of your household — including the ones with four legs.