What Kind of House Should I Buy for My Growing Family

I'm expecting to have a big family. What kind of house should I buy? Read the best answer to this common question

It can be challenging to choose the right house with your future in mind. This is especially true if you plan on extending your family in the next few years. You will need a home that can grow with you. There will be certain things you want to consider when searching for the right house with your future in mind.

If you're wondering what kind of house you should buy for your changing future, it's best to do some research before you start searching. Here are a few things you should think about when looking for a house for a growing family.

Location

Location is one of the most important factors when you begin your property search. It may not be easy to find the perfect house but choosing the right location will certainly help to narrow your options.

Living in the suburbs can often mean you're in a good area for young families. It can also be a lot less expensive than if you were to choose to live in the city. However, living in the city could mean you're much closer to work and your commute won't be as long. If that's the case, you'll have more time to spend with your family.

You may find what appears to be the perfect home while browsing online but when you arrive to view it, you may discover it's on a busy street. A busy street might not be right for you and your family because of traffic noise or safety. It will take time to find the right home and location. Be patient. The house you need in the right location is out there.

Floor Plan

The floor plan of a home is another important factor to consider when buying a home. How many bedrooms will you need? The most popular bedroom number is three so, you may find you have some competition if that's the number of bedrooms you're looking for.

Couples who are planning to start a family, singles or seniors may find there's plenty of space in a two bedroom which are often more readily available. Look at the design of the house instead of relying on the square footage. A house that has been designed well, to make the most of the space, will be of much more use than a bigger poorly designed house.

Would you like a large kitchen? Is storage important? Do you like open concept or would you prefer smaller, cozier rooms? There are lots of things to consider about the type of floor plan you want.

Are the Schools Good?

If you're buying a home with a young family in mind, it's important to consider the local schools. You may have already thought about the type of school you want your children to attend and this will probably influence the location you choose to buy your home in.

You may want to research the schools in the area and plan a visit to each potential school before you start visiting properties. The more you know about the schools in the area, the easier it will be to make a decision on a property down the line. 

Additional Expenses

A home is one of the most expensive purchases you'll ever make but not just because of the face value of the property. Purchasing a home will almost always be more expensive than you think it will be. Along with the price of the house are costs for inspections, closing, moving and other unexpected things so, putting a little extra money aside is a good idea.

If you're buying a home for a growing family, you may want to make some adjustments to the property to ensure it's ideal for what you need. So, even if you can’t find the perfect home, you can make adjustments to a house that has potential.

Fixer Uppers

Sometimes it's worth looking at properties that need some work. Perhaps the interior is dated but the overall structure of the house is in good condition. Simple updates to flooring and paint can be done helping to make the home perfect to suit your family.

Finding properties that need a little updating can sometimes save you money too. Even if the updates are minor, you could still save on the cost of the home because of the way it's presented. Don't let bad decor put you off. A home that needs some minor work could be a great value for you. You must be able to look beyond the decor and realize the potential that a house offers.

Understanding the Process

If you're buying your first or second home, you may not be fully aware of the entire buying process. Once you know the type of home you want for your growing family, you should also think about what is required to buy a home.

Here are a few tips to make sure you're prepared for getting the property you want.

Work with a Real Estate Agent

A real estate agent can help you through the entire process. These professionals work with you to determine the type of home you want or need and then they help you find it. Once you have found your perfect home, a real estate agent will help you through the process to buy it. They will work with and answer any questions you have. Working with a real estate agent makes searching for and buying a home easy and much less stressful.

Know Your Budget

You may have an idea of what your dream house would be but can you afford it? It's wise to consider how much you can afford before viewing properties. Get in touch with an independent financial advisor and go through your finances to find out the type of mortgage that's likely to be available to you.

You don't want to fall in love with a property and then realize you can't afford to buy it.

Get Pre-Approved

You will need to complete an official mortgage application with a lender to get pre-approved. The lender can pre-approve you for a mortgage up to a certain amount after reviewing your application and finances. You will receive a conditional commitment in writing for an exact loan amount. This means you can look for a home at or below that amount. This puts you at an advantage when dealing with a seller because they know you are one step closer to getting an actual mortgage.

If you find the perfect house and know it won't be on the market long, you're in a position to make an offer quickly before other potential buyers do when you are pre-approved. If you know you can be decisive when it comes to buying a property, getting pre-approved just makes good sense.

Get Recommendations

All buyers including Millennial home buyers need to work with a lot of different people during the home buying process. From bankers to real estate agents, inspectors and sometimes contractors, the list can feel endless. So, it's important to find people you can trust so the process isn’t overwhelming. 

Your real estate agent can make some good recommendations to help with the process. They have worked with lots of resources and have first-hand experience with who is helpful and reliable. 

You can ask friends and family who they would recommend before you begin an online search. If you end up searching online, make sure you can find plenty of reviews for the person or company you're considering of using. Contractors, builders, plumbers and others should be able to provide you with references before starting any work.

Be Prepared for Paperwork

Buying a house comes with a ton of paperwork. Your real estate agent will help you navigate the process and they will be with you at your closing. There will be lots of documents to sign and your real estate agent will help to answer any questions.

Get Help Moving

Moving can be a huge task. Trying to do it by yourself can be difficult and stressful. Ask family and friends to help with the packing and unpacking.

You can also hire a company that does all the packing, transporting and unpacking for you. It's a more expensive option but it frees your time up to concentrate on other things. It's a great solution if you have to work during the move.

A Family Home: What Kind of House Should I Buy

Buying a family home is exciting and can be stressful at times. If the question, what kind of house should I buy is on your mind, make a list of all the things you'll need from a home in the next five years. For more information on first time buying and the real estate market, take a look at our blog.