When looking to buy a house, it can be tricky to find the perfect family home right away because you don’t always know exactly what to consider when viewing houses for sale. House hunting can seem like a daunting and stressful process when you don’t know what it is you should be looking out for. So, to make the steps to buying a house a little easier for you and your family, we’ve provided a handy guide with the best tips and tricks to consider in your search.
Location, location, location
It’s crucial you look into buying a house in a child-friendly neighbourhood. If you are looking in a specific area, don’t be afraid to visit it before you arrange any bookings, or re-visit once you’ve seen a couple of properties.
You need to be sure that an area is right for you and that it fits in well with what you’re looking for. For instance, if you are wanting a house close to a park or play area, look out for the nearest playground attractions. You can take a stroll to the school you’ve been looking to send your children to; all these things are so important to round up your search and will make choosing the perfect home a whole lot easier.
When you are viewing a house, you may meet the neighbours. So, take this opportunity to speak to them; get a feel for what they are like and what it is they enjoy about living in that area. Ask them what is nearby and have a wander around to figure it out for yourself, too. Look out for how far away shops are with regards to the location of the house you are viewing, and if the neighbourhood has easy access to public transport for when your family grows older.
Schools
It’s a good idea to gauge how far is too far from the school you hope to send your child/children to. Remember, a good school is going to make the house prices in your chosen area more expensive, so that’s worth considering when you are house hunting.
Plan for the future
It’s important to consider not just what you have now, but what other plans you have for your future when looking to purchase a family home. If you plan on expanding your family, take this into consideration when starting your search. It may be that you aren’t looking to change the size of your family any time soon, and in that case, choose a home that is big enough for your family’s current needs. Alternatively, if you and your partner have big ideas for the future of your family, don’t forget the extra room you will need.
Obviously don’t live beyond your means; if you can’t yet afford a bigger place to accommodate a future addition to the family, don’t look for one. However, if you do have some wiggle room in your budget, and have solid plans to expand your family soon, it’s a good idea to look for a bigger home than you originally planned. Extra rooms can account for a games room when your children are young, or an office for when they are growing into their teens, so even if you’re holding off having another child for a year or so, you have that extra space to play with.
Weigh up your options
Children love to play, and as they grow older they are instantly drawn to the garden. When looking for your new family home, it’s worth considering the activity options available for your children. If a home is perfect but has a small garden, consider what is nearby in that area.
You don’t necessarily have to break your budget to get a house simply because it has a garden. Be logical; if there is a local park nearby or an activity play area, there’s no need for you to search for a house in that area with a huge garden that is going to knock you over your budget.
