If you have a baby on the way or you’re planning to have more children, it’s time to find a bigger home. Moreover, having kids also entails other priorities. In the past, you were interested in living close to the social scene, while now, you have to think about your children’s needs. And there are many contributing factors to consider. So, if you decide that now is the right time to purchase a home, here are 6 tips for finding a home for a growing family.

No. 1 One of the best tips for finding a home for a growing family is making sure you can afford it.

Everyone knows that buying a home is a big investment. And even if you’re dreaming of a 4 or 5-bedroom home, you might not afford it. Therefore it’s important to be realistic. So, before you start house hunting, you have to assess your finances. Here are some of the aspects you should take into account:

·        Consider your family’s current revenue and savings, then write down all the expenses. Here you should include utility bills, food, clothes, etc. And factor in all the costs related to child-care as well. Moreover, the advisors from Best Movers NYC also recommend taking into account the cost of living in the specific location you’re interested in.

·        Get a pre-approval. Since you probably can’t afford to invest so much money straight away, you should look up mortgages. And getting a pre-approval is essential. This way, you’ll know exactly what amount you’ll get

Consider additional home expenses. You can’t always find or afford the perfect home in the perfect location. Therefore, you might have to make some compromises. For example, you can buy a fixer-upper in your dream location. In which case, you have to think of the home improvement costs as well

No. 2 Be specific about what you want

Once you know what you can afford, you need to determine what you want. Of course, there are a lot of beautiful homes out there, but they might not suit your needs. So, you should get specific about what you’re looking for. And, you should also think long-term. If your family is growing, factor in your kids’ future needs as well. Here are some questions you should answer:

·        How many bedrooms will your growing family need?

·        How many bathrooms will you need?

·        Do you want a home with multiple stories?

·        Do you want a garage or a parking space?

·        Do you want a backyard for your children to play in?

 

No. 3 Research the neighborhood thoroughly

Choosing the right location is one of the most important tips for finding a home for a growing family. But be advised that this is not as easy as it may seem. Even if you like the general aspect of a neighborhood, you need to get to know the area better before buying a home. For example, you should do some research on the crime rate in that neighborhood. This is key because you want your kids to grow up in a safe place.

Another essential aspect you should research is the transport network in the area. This is crucial because you can’t afford to waste half a day stuck in traffic. Particularly when you have kids waiting for you to return from work. Not to mention that once your children are old enough, you won’t have time to drive them everywhere. Therefore, they should have close access to public transportation.

And apart from these practical aspects, you should also make sure that you find an excellent community to raise a family in. So, spend some time in that neighborhood before you decide to buy. Take your family there on the weekend and explore. Find a park or a playground and get to know some of the parents. This way, you will get some honest insight into that area.

No. 4 Research nearby schools

When you have a growing family, your kids are your top priority. Therefore, when you start looking for a home, you have to research nearby schools. And the main reason for this is that long commutes to school are exhausting for both you and your children. So, check the ratings of the schools in the area and also ask for recommendations.

No. 5 Make sure there’s enough space

With a growing family, you’ll probably never have enough space. That’s something you just have to accept. Nevertheless, there are some things you should consider during your house hunt. For example, if you want to buy a house, make sure it has a garage, attic, and/or basement. On the one hand, you can use them to store the huge amount of stuff that your family will collect over the years. On the other hand, you can later convert these into additional living areas.

Another great idea is to find a home with a big backyard. When your kids are little, this will be a safe, outdoor area for them to play in. Later on, it can become a great place for you to relax. For example, you can add a swimming pool or a patio. But in any case, a big backyard allows you to throw kids’ birthday parties, as well as barbeques with friends and family. So, it’s something that you should consider.

No. 6 Seek help

While these tips are great for finding a home for a growing family, you should also seek help from an experienced realtor. A professional knows the market well and can help you find the right home for your family. Plus, this will save you a lot of time. Once you give your realtor all the specifics of what you’re looking for, they will do the rest. And you’ll only have to go visit the top choices. Moreover, due to the years of experience, a realtor also knows how to negotiate the best price. So, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Final thoughts

Whether you’re just starting a family or want to have more kids, you need a bigger home. And finding the right one takes some work. As you’ve seen in these 6 tips for finding a home for a growing family, there are many factors to consider. So, make sure you do some research and get very specific about what you want. This way, you will find a home that best suits your family’s needs.

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