Fri. May 3rd, 2024

6 Tips for Buying a House for a Family to Live in

By Elliot 1 year ago

When you are young and single, you can live almost anywhere. From couch surfing to bed-sharing to overnights in your car, you are good to go as long as you have a place to lay your head.

When you have a family, everything is different. You need to find an ideal place that suits every family member and provides comfort and security at the same time. Finding a home for a family is not for the faint of heart. There are many things to consider, so get everything you need and want in your new home. Then sit back and enjoy your perfect family abode.

Are you looking to make a home purchase for your brood? Here are some great tips for buying a house for a family.

Tip #1: Buy a house you can afford

This may seem like a no-brainer, but many purchase a home way beyond their means and become house poor. This means most of your spendable income is on housing and there isn’t much left for other expenses.

A family needs more than just a place to live and while you want the best house possible, make sure it aligns with your finances so you can still afford things like:

  • Kids activities
  • Vacations
  • Dinners out
  • Christmas/birthday gifts
  • Car repairs
  • Unforeseen financial necessities

As a rule, your monthly housing costs shouldn’t exceed 30% of your monthly gross family income. Keep in this ratio and find the best homes for sale in Orangeville you can get.

Tip #2: Get the right number of bedrooms

There is no avoiding it; families never stop growing. Whether it is additional kids or growing kids, the family mass increases until children become adults and move out. This means you need to have enough bedrooms for everyone.

When kids are younger, they share bedrooms but eventually need their own space. Consider your number of kids and try to buy a home with a bedroom for each one. Until you need it, you can use it for a tv room, exercise room or home office. This goes for bathrooms, too, as teens tend to take over, so make sure you have several.

Tip #3: Parking issues

Another thing to consider is the amount of room at your new home to park vehicles. One or two spaces may seem fine initially, but kids will also want their wheels as they grow.

Space for at least four vehicles should do it so family members with cars have a spot and extended family and friends have a place to pull in when they come to visit. If there is limited space in front of the house, see if you can put a gravel pad along the side to accommodate a car or two.

If you have an alleyway, you could even put a small garage out back or fenced-in a spot for a vehicle.

Tip #4: Consider must-have amenities

Almost every home has the essentials like a kitchen, living room, bathrooms and bedrooms, but for a family to function, you need more space.

Here are a few must-haves:

Garage

You need to have a place to store items like tools, lawnmowers, seasonal items and your vehicles. While not all homes have a garage, a family needs to store stuff.

Finished Basement

One living room is fine when you have young kids, but they will want an area to hang out on their own as they grow. A finished basement is ideal for a second living room, games room or an additional bedroom, and it gives your family members space while still under the same roof.

Big Backyard

If it’s within the budget, buy a house with a big backyard. Even if it is undeveloped, this is a project you can do over time. Think of BBQs and outdoor parties that you will have space for. You can grow a garden and even have a fire pit.

These essential amenities will keep a growing family happy.

Tip #5: Layout and Storage

Families come with needs, and how the house is laid out is important. When kids are young, you may want their bedrooms close to yours. Also, there should be a bathroom on every level, so kids don’t have to travel up or down stairs in the middle of the night.

Storage is king for a family because everyone has lots of stuff. Ensure ample closet space, a mudroom on the front to store everyday items, and longer storage gear.

Tip #6: Neighbourhood Considerations

Along with looking for the perfect house is finding it in an ideal location. A single person can live close to their job or have a long commute, but a family needs to reside right in the sweet spot of all their needs.

Consider how close the schools are for your kids. It is a full-time job for youngsters, so you don’t want their commute too long. Shopping, coffee shops and restaurants are places that should be nearby, and for family activities, playgrounds need to be within walking distance, and beaches and parks are only a short driving distance away.