If you’re waiting too long to sell your Atlanta real estate, maybe it’s time to spend an afternoon at the local dog park. According to research cited in the

Equifax Personal Finance Blog, it seems that not wanting to pay more money for their pets is the fifth most popular reason people choose to become homeowners.

At a time when homeownership seems to be losing ground as a large part of the typical American dream, the people in our country are buying more pets, reports Equifax guest blogger Steve Cook. In his recent post, “

Pet-Friendly Housing Steering the Real Estate Market,” Cook points out that housing those pets can be expensive. He says that half of rental property owners don’t allow pets at all, and the rest charge extra fees for their furry tenants. Those fees range from $20 to $700 up front, often in addition to a monthly payment.

Even better for those who hope to locate a buyer, Cook says that pet owners generally fit well into the homeowner mold. They are more often married and part of a traditional family. And many homeowners consider their pets an important part of that family.

One real estate broker in Naples, Fla., has built a business around advertising properties to pet owners.  At the Pet Realty Network,  pet-owning buyers can search listings across the US.

If your home, yard and neighborhood are pet friendly, maybe advertising the fact will make the difference to potential buyers.