K
atie Muela and Arsy Khodabandelou moved to New York from Maryland a few years ago after the family they were nannying for relocated to the city. They initially saw it as an opportunity to explore the city before COVID-19 hit, forcing them back to Maryland after just a year. However, once the pandemic subsided, they returned to the Upper East Side and fell in love with their Yorkville neighborhood, where they got to know their neighbors and spent time at the local dog park.

    During a hike at Bear Mountain, Mr. Khodabandelou had an idea for a pet-rescue app, Woof, which notifies emergency contacts if pets are left alone longer than expected. He landed on "Shark Tank" in 2023, though without securing a deal. The couple, who will marry next month, soon outgrew their small apartment and began searching for a new place.

    Their old friends were buying houses and having children, making them consider purchasing an apartment themselves. They aimed to stay in the area, finding a dog-friendly two-bedroom or large one-bedroom near their rental on the far Upper East Side. However, they quickly realized they'd have to adjust their budget, eventually settling on $800,000.

    After online research, they found Annette Mulligan, who explained the differences between co-ops and condominiums and noted varying dog policies among buildings. Mr. Khodabandelou was smitten with every place they saw, while Ms. Muela initially had specific requirements but later lowered her expectations.