For the majority of us, having a house that suits the whole family is a goal to aim for. Those of us who had stable home lives when growing up can think of nothing better than providing the same for our kids. The good news is that, once you have the family, you are halfway there. You may feel like you are struggling to pay the bills, but your kids will not know about that. If their home is full of love, they will look back on it as a stable place regardless.
However, there are some things to consider when you buy house. When you have a family in tow, house buying becomes an entirely different beast. During your childless days, you may have shopped with moneymaking potential in mind. However, that should be a thing of the past when you have a family. Instead of aiming for a house that stands to make money, look out for somewhere with lasting power. The less you and your family move, the better. In addition, it is not just your opinion that counts anymore. Kids may not be the best when it comes to house buying, but their seal of approval is important too! So, if moneymaking is no longer a priority, what is? We are going to look at a few of the top considerations you need to make.
Is it big enough?
Let us start with the obvious one, shall we? The first and main thing you need to decide is whether your potential home is big enough. Outgrowing a home is common, especially when you are just starting out. It may be that you have more kids than planned, or that you find you are all living on top of each other. Bear in mind that space is not all about having enough bedrooms. It is also about having room to live independent lives in the same house. If you cannot move for stepping on each other, you could run into problems.
In all honesty, though, it is not easy finding a home that is the right size. After all, you do not have a crystal ball. You have no way of knowing what is around the corner, or whether you will have more kids down the line. The easiest way around the problem is to accept the unknown. It is better to buy a house that is too big than to have to move again or halt your plans because of space restraints. Besides, a spare room is always useful.
Whatever you choose, space is not something you can compromise on. You may think your kids will be fine to share a room, but it’s unlikely that setup will work once they grow. Teenagers need space. Major rows could ensue if they don’t get it because their younger sibling is sharing the room. Cutting corners will only see you moving again in a few years’ time!
Does it serve your purpose?
We’ve already stated that the purpose of a house buy changes when you have a family, but what does it change to? Before, you may have shopped with nothing more in mind than the moneymaking we have spoken about and a place to relax. However, the more people living in a house, the more purposes it has to fulfill. This is especially important where kids are concerned. You do not want them to miss out because you did not consider their needs when moving.
So, what purposes might your rooms need to serve? It may be that your kids need a home study in which to do their schoolwork. Alternatively, perhaps they need a music room to fulfill a hobby? If they are sporting lovers, you should look out for a garden that’s big enough to give them practice space.
In many ways, tackling the issue of space will help you here, too. As long as you have spare rooms, you can convert them depending on each family member’s needs. It may also be worth looking out for homes with basement or attic space. That way, you have even more room to play with.
Is the location right?
Location plays a significant role in any house move. If you are buying a house somewhere, you need to make sure it is a place that suits you, right? Moreover, location becomes even more crucial when you have a family to consider. Before, you were probably concerned with local amenities and friendly neighbors. These things still matter, but there will be some extra considerations. For example, the majority of parents choose a house based on its proximity to desirable schools. You may also want to play closer attention to the street itself. Is there an area for your kids to play in? Is there evidence of other children they could make friends with? If you are planning for the future, consider how close the area is to a local town, and where the nearest college is.
And, is it safe?
Speaking of location, you’ll also want to ensure the area you choose is a safe one. While it’s always important to protect yourself, it’s even more important to protect your family. Remember that safe, secure feeling you’re craving from your childhood? You will not achieve that in your family home if the neighborhood is unsafe.
In addition, safety at home goes further than just a secure area. You will also need to look out for a home with security features of its own. You can never be too careful, after all. Of course, you can apply whichever safety features you need once you move. However, a home that already has built-in alarms and security cameras would be an easier choice. It may also be worth looking at the safety of things such as the garage door. A home with an external fence would also be a superior choice. Bear in mind, though, that if a house has an extensive security system, there may be a worrying cause behind it! Talk to the estate agent to determine whether there are previous break-ins that you should know about.
