Buying a home is a personal experience. There are many things you need to consider before you even go house-hunting. But many people fail to do important reality checks before investing in a house.
How you buy a house depends on your needs, future goals, and the people you will be living with. When you’re single, you can decide on every possible aspect, including the size of the house, the style, and the budget. When you’re married, you need to buy a house you and your spouse can afford and fits the kind of lifestyle you have. But when kids come into the picture, it becomes a whole different story.
Kids have ever-changing needs. But in a nutshell, they need a safe and comfortable home. This may look simple enough, but once you break down the list of things you will have to consider for your kid’s sake, this is when it gets a bit tricky. To help you navigate home-buying with kids, it is a good idea to include the following important questions before buying.
Should I Buy With a Real Estate Agent or Not?
Some home buyers want to forgo hiring the services of a real estate agent just to get away with the fees. Others can’t even imagine buying a house without an agent. If you are torn between the two options, the following comparison can help.
If you buy a house without an agent, you can enjoy browsing photos of every possible picture of homes you want in your desired location and you will have to make offers yourself. You are on your own when reviewing the terms of the contract unless you hire a real estate attorney. You get to work with the seller directly and if you have a direct connection with the seller, it can be easier to strike a deal. But since you have no expert knowledge in home-buying just yet, you can have a hard time negotiating and find a place that suits your needs.
An agent, on the other hand, makes the process of a lot easier. They can provide professional real estate tips for selling houses. They also have the right connections and tools needed to make house-hunting a breeze.
Local real estate agents know the neighborhood you are interested in looking at and can fill you in with everything you need to know regarding the paperwork. They can help you find the best people to do home inspections. They can also help you come up with a competitive offer that sellers will find reasonable considering the current conditions of the house. All in all, you’re paying professional services so you can focus on buying the right home for your family minus the hassles.
Am I Satisfied With the Location?
Like in business, location means everything. You want for your family’s future home to be in a secure neighborhood. Is near good nearby schools and has easy access to a school bus? Is there a park nearby where you can let your kids run and play?
A neighborhood check is necessary even if it seems everything is clean, nice, and peaceful after a few visits. Check how the neighborhood is like during commuting hours, in the morning and at night. While you’re at it, visit shop owners in the surrounding areas and ask what their opinion is about the neighborhood. Don’t forget to research crime as the last thing you want is to move your kids where they won’t be safe.
Of course, you will want to know what current and future developments are around the area. This will affect the value of the surrounding properties, including your future home. Aside from these, consider the location of the lot and the house itself.
Will the House Fit the kids’ lifestyle?
Consider your non-negotiable things. This can be a house with a picket-fenced yard, at least three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open floor plan, and a garage. Consider the activities your family especially the ones your kids enjoy doing.
If they are more of the outdoorsy type, then you will want a fenced yard where they can run and play. If you still have small kids, it is a good idea to have the master bedroom beside their room instead of on another floor. This way, you can easily check on them in case they need you in the middle of the night.
Buying a home when you have kids is tough. But you can make it easier if you make home–buying a family affair. Once you rounded up your top choices, bring the kids along. This will help you better visualize yourself living in the house. Don’t forget to consider these three reality checks when buying your future family home.