How to Choose the Right Home for Your Family

Portrait Of Excited Family Standing Outside New Home

A house is so much more than a structure – it’s your refuge and the place where some of life’s priceless memories are made. If you’re on the hunt for your dream home, take note of these considerations:

Let’s talk money.

Before you start discussing specs such as room count and lot sizes, ask yourself just how much house you can buy in the first place. Oftentimes, this will be dictated by your budget. In general, your mortgage payments should not exceed 30%of your net monthly income – more than this and your finances will be strained.

However, you can give yourself a bit of wiggle room; if you think a property offers excellent value, it’s fine to splurge a bit. Just make sure to factor in other considerations that come with the cost of homeownership (budget for repairs, property taxes, HOA fees, and so on).

Location, location, location

Once you’ve determined your budget, it’s time to look at ideal neighborhoods. Prime candidates are homes in good school districts – and not just for your kids’ sake. Studies show that homebuyers are willing to pay more for houses near excellent schools; if you ever decide to sell your house, you can confidently charge a good price for it.

Make sure that your home is also near transport links, shopping centers, business districts, and the like. Look at up-and-coming areas, too; home prices tend to be modest, but they can potentially skyrocket as the location becomes more developed.

Home features and specs

What features does your house need? If you have a large family, you’ll definitely need a house with four or more rooms. Families with pets might want to look at houses with large yards where their furbabies can play.

A good tip is to create a wish list, which you can then divide into must-haves and nice-to-haves. Don’t be afraid to compromise either – for example, a house with a modest yard can still be a viable option if it’s near a park. Think ahead, too; a smaller home might seem like the perfect fit now, but it will feel cramped if you decide to add to your family.

Dare to compare

By this point, you and your real estate agent should already have a shortlist of properties. The next step is to compare the options before you. Most sellers will organize open houses so you’ll have a chance to see and evaluate the properties yourself.

Can you really see your family living in this home? Do you have any questions about the house and its history? Why are the current owners selling the place? These are just some of the questions you should ask during the walkthrough.

Amenities

Last but not the least, take look at the amenities that come with a neighborhood, too. Many gated communities, for instance, have features such as clubhouses, sports facilities, green spaces, and other perks. These amenities make the community much more family-friendly, and also give you more bang for your buck.

Few decisions are as important as choosing a home for your family. Hopefully, the tips given above will help you find the perfect one. If you need further guidance, call the Hensley Group at 951.719.0355 or e-mail Marcel Hensley at marcel(at)thehensleygroup(dotted)net.