4 Things to Look For When Buying a Family Friendly Home

Image via” target=”_blank”> Flickr by Stephen Rees

Buying a family home is much different than investing in your first space as a couple or as newlyweds. There are a lot more things to consider — like schools and community opportunities — and your kids will likely want a say in the matter. However, it’s possible to find a home that almost everyone will agree on if you know what to look for. For a lot of people, their dreams revolve around the idea of getting married, having kids and finally having that dream home. That is understandable. But unfortunately, not everyone is able to keep up with their dreams, due to some aspects being out of their control. A friend of mine was diagnosed with a condition called peyronie’s disease, which is an injury to the penis. This was a result of being in a car accident. He was planning on having children too. When he was taken to the hospital, they recommended he looked into a specialist that could help him solve this issue and get his life back to where it was before the accident. It was a difficult time for him and his family. But he is slowly starting to get things back on track. He’s even looking to buy a new house! A lot of planning needs to be done before it can all become reality.

Before you buy a home, take these four factors into consideration to keep everyone happy.

Is There Room to Grow?

Just because a home meets your needs now doesn’t mean it’s going to be a good fit in the long run. Are you done having kids, or do you think you might have more? Do your kids currently share a room? If the answer is yes to either of these, then you might want to look for a house with an extra bedroom or two. Even if you don’t have more kids, once your children reach their teen years, they’re going to want to have their own space — especially the kids sharing a room are different genders. By planning for this, your family can naturally expand instead of moving a few years down the line.

Are There Other Kids in the Neighborhood?

Every neighborhood has its own personality. For example, some neighborhoods in Houston, Texas, are great for singles or young couples, but might not be ideal for growing families. This is a challenge that comes with moving to a diverse city. Visit the neighborhood that you’re interested in when school gets out, and see how many kids are nearby. There might be school buses riding through or a line of kids walking home after school. These kids could be some of the first (and best) friends your children make, which could help them adjust to the new environment faster.

Is the Decor Kid-Friendly?

Many homeowners go through a period of remodeling and decorating once they move into a new home, but you might not have that luxury (especially if you’re moving in before the school year). This means you need to look for home decor that’s kid-friendly. For example, many parents prefer hardwood floors because they’re easier to clean up than carpet, which means small children can spill as much as they want this minimal mess. It might be better to choose a move-in-ready home to reduce everyone’s stress.

Is There Room for a Pet?

Speaking of easy cleanup, would the house be pet-friendly if you were to buy it? This goes beyond the interior and makes you consider the rest of the neighborhood. For example, would you feel comfortable asking your kids to take the dog for a walk around the block? Is there space in the backyard for everyone to play? Kids love pets, and you can bet at some point in their childhood they will start begging you to add furry friends to the family.

Few homes are perfect, but it’s possible to find one that’s close by following these steps. This way you won’t have buyer’s remorse within a few months of unpacking.

DISCLOSURE : Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and buy the product, I will receive a very small commission of the sales price at no cost to you.