As a single person, you can be free to be a bit creative when it comes to buying a home, especially since too much space can be a burden. However, if you’re starting the buying process with a few kids in tow, you may find yourself in a situation that’s a bit more complex.
Children not only need a safe place to lay their heads at the end of the day, but space to play and express their individuality.
Therefore, to assess a home’s kid-friendly potential, home buyers with children or those planning to start a family should consider the following tips:
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF SIZE. For families, size is one of the most vital considerations since children need an abundance of space to run and play. Until you have kids, you never fully appreciate how much room they are capable of consuming—along with the amount of constant destruction they can leave in their wake—so making sure you purchase a home with extra square footage is important.
PRACTICALITY. When taking the size of a home into account, don’t forget to put a little thought into how it fits with your family’s lifestyle.
-Is there enough closet space for everyone’s things?
-Will your entire family be able to fit into the kitchen or dining room at meal times?
-Is the yard large enough to help your children burn off a bit of steam?
-Is there a mud room or laundry room for your children’s dirty clothes or muddy sports equipment?
-How many bathrooms will you need?
SAFETY. There’s something to be said for feeling like you don’t have to worry about your children at all times. When looking for a home, search for someplace that will give you the peace of mind of knowing that your kids are safe, both inside and outside the home. Particular considerations may include the layout and fixtures, as well as the possibility of furniture placement.
If you’d like to be able to supervise them without having to move from room to room, you’ll probably want to make sure your new home has an open floor plan and if there’s a pool, you’ll probably want to make sure it’s surrounded by a fence.
With this, you may also want to check with your agent to see the location of the nearest hospital and to assess additional safety concerns such as local traffic levels, violent crime rates, and sources of pollution. Additionally, Georgia contracts allow you to check for registered sex offenders, which can be done through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation website (www.gbi.georgia.gov).
LOCATION. Even if you’ve already decided that the area is safe enough for your standards, location is still important because your children will need to attend the local schools. Take notice of their distance from your potential home and pinpoint things like after-school child centers and local parks.
Additional considerations may involve the location of the nearest hospital for emergencies, as well as entertainment ventures such as nearby restaurants, stores, and movie theaters.
In the end, if the home buying process feels like a lot—especially if you’re trying to do it with four or five other people in mind—consider starting with a list of items that are essential for your family and go from there.
If you need help, don’t be afraid to hire the services of an experienced Realtor who can organize your wish list and help you search for the perfect home.
For assistance, please call me. I’d love to help your family find the property of their dreams.
Marie Dinsmore | The Dinsmore Team | www.DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789
