Buying a new home is already complicated, but it's even more so when you have a growing family. Instead of just looking for the nicest house in your budget in the coolest part of town, you need a kid-friendly home near good schools. Some new home features work especially well for a growing family but often get overlooked. Here are a few features to keep your eye out for when home shopping.
More Bedrooms Than You Have Now
While it's sometimes necessary to squeeze more than one kid into a bedroom or give up on that home office or playroom, in general it's best to go for a home with more bedrooms. Extra bedrooms means having way more options when it's time to expand your family. A rec room or home gym can easily be converted into a nursery when you have a new baby. A guest suite with its own bathroom can be rented out as a vacation rental for extra money now, and go back to being a bedroom as your family grows.
Lots of Storage Space
Children tend to come with a ton of stuff, each having their own toys, books, sports equipment, snow gear, and more. If you are planning to have more kids, it pays to look for a home with ample storage now. A home with walk-in closets in the bedrooms, a pantry, plenty of kitchen storage, and perhaps a shed or basement storage area will be ideal.
Even if you don't think you could possibly use all of the storage space, once your family grows you will be so glad you have it. Having enough storage helps you avoid having to live in a chaotic, cluttered environment.
A Non-Sloping Lot and Street
When you don't have kids, buying a home on the top of a hill may seem like a great idea. For kids though, a steeply sloping yard in a hilly neighborhood means limited playtime. It's difficult for kids to ride their bikes, practice their skateboarding, or play sports safely when the land is steep and sloped. A flat lot also makes it easier to see your kids when they're playing outside at a distance, improving your peaceof mind.
Letting your real estate agent know that you are interested in finding a new home for sale with these home features will help ensure you and your family are happy with your purchase for a long time to come.
Share11 September 2018
When I started looking for a new home, I realized that there were a few things I needed to be careful about. For instance, I really needed to focus on finding a home that would appreciate in value, so I began thinking about investing in the right property. After quite a bit of research, I was able to find a great neighborhood that had a big support system for my family. After we found a house we loved, we worked with a real estate agent to procure it, and it was really nice to feel like we belonged somewhere. Read this blog about ways to find amazing pieces of real estate the first time around.