As your family grows, it's only natural to feel as though you've outgrown your home and need more space. Having a growing family also brings along additional considerations, such as safety and being in a good school district. As you begin your search for a new home for your expanding family, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Keep Future Needs in Mind
Even if your children are young toddlers or babies, the time will fly and they will soon be school-aged kids. When choosing a home, it's ideal to research local elementary schools and choose a home that is close to a school you would be happy to send your kids to.
Beyond school, it is also a good idea to choose a neighborhood with many other young families, so your kids will have neighbors to play with as they get older. Easy access to recreational opportunities, including sports, dance, and swimming lessons, will also have a positive impact on your family's quality of life. A real estate agent with extensive experience working with families will be able to make specific neighborhood recommendations to accommodate these needs.
Pay Close Attention to Layout
When you're single or don't yet have kids, the layout of your home may not have a huge effect on your day-to-day life. With kids, however, the right layout can make daily life easier and more comfortable. An open floor plan makes it easy for you to keep an eye on the kids, even from another room.
A finished basement provides the space for a den or family room, giving everyone room to relax without feeling too crowded. Wide doorways and a split level design makes it much easier to carry a stroller and other kid-related accouterments from room to room and in and out of the home.
Don't Overlook the Exterior
A smaller home may feel large enough if there is a big patio out back where you can have comfy outdoor furniture and create an outdoor living space. Likewise, a fenced-in yard makes life with kids and pets much more fun and safer as well. If your idea of the perfect family home involves time spent grilling burgers in the yard while the kids play in the sprinklers, a nice backyard should be a major priority.
Working with an experienced real estate agent who takes the time to get to know your family's real estate needs and preferences will make the home buying process go as smoothly as possible.
After thinking long and hard about what kind of home to buy, I began talking with a real estate agent about getting a deal that I could live with for the rest of my life. I really wanted to find a home and a deal that offered pleasant terms for me and my business, so I began focusing seriously on getting things done. It was amazing to me to see just how different various real estate deals were, and before I knew it, I was making some changes that would work for my lifestyle. Within a few months, things were a lot better. This website is all about understanding and applying real estate deals.