As a homeowner with a family, you’re likely going to have a very specific set of needs and goals when searching for your next house. The lifestyle of the neighborhood, good schools, and easy access to nearby amenities are clearly going to matter. Every family is different, and your home needs to match your lifestyle as closely as possible.
But there’s much more to know about targeting a neighborhood and home that will be perfect for you and your family. That’s where we come in. Below, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about choosing the right home for your family — whether you’re interested in Tomball homes for sale or properties elsewhere. Let’s dive in!
Find the best location
Every family is different and will prefer living in a part of the area that’s suited for their interests and lifestyle. Nearby, you can easily find neighborhoods in urban, suburban, and rural locales.
Take the pros and cons of each area: Urban communities will provide you with easy access to restaurants, museums, and entertainment districts, but they tend to be noisier. Suburban areas will probably give you a plethora of shopping, dining, and grocery stores to choose from, but the commute time to the city could be higher than if you live in the center of town. Rural housing offers the best exposure to nature and privacy, though it may be difficult to find various amenities.
Draft a budget
Anyone planning on buying a home should spend time coming up with a clearly outlined budget before they seriously start targeting potential homes and neighborhoods. Of course, the most important calculation to keep in mind is the sale price of the home and your down payment (which can be as much as 25% of the total home cost in many cases). But there are many other charges and fees that you should plan to pay in advance. Some of the most common ones include:
- Utility bills, such as electricity, internet, water, heating, and more
- Home insurance
- Property taxes
- The cost of furnishing the home and moving
- Homeowners association fees
- Charges associated with making necessary repairs or updates to the existing home
Engage the help of a real estate expert
The best way to cut through all the noise and confusion that comes with locating a new house, making an offer, and seeing the purchase to its conclusion is to have a realtor by your side. A local real estate agent will be able to act as a support system and answer any questions you may have about the details of your purchase contract. They can also connect you with a wide network of other professionals in the area. It’s much easier to find qualified contractors, home appraisers, lenders, and attorneys if you have the expertise of an agent to guide you.
Narrow down the size and floor plan that’s right for you
No doubt, the size and floor plan of your next home is going to depend on the size of your family. But there are several other things to keep in mind when selecting a home that will fit you and your family’s lifestyle. If you have very young children at home, consider safety first. Perhaps a one-story property will be appropriate. If you have a few older kids who need a lot of exercise and space to move around, it could be smart to invest in a house with a large backyard. Consider how much privacy you’ll require. If that’s important to you, be sure to research the size of the lot and whether or not your neighbors also place a high value on privacy.
Note the current condition of the house
Most homeowners with a family have a very tight schedule that won’t give them much time to spend making major repairs or renovations to the house. At least, not initially. Many families prefer to buy a home that’s move-in ready for that very reason.
Be sure to engage the help of an expert realtor and inspector who will carefully examine every inch of the house for potential damage. Although it’s rare to encounter sellers in the luxury real estate market who knowingly don’t disclose property damage, it does happen. Make sure that your seller and their agent agree to conducting a thorough home inspection before closing on the purchase.
Reach out to a local real estate agent today
We hope that this guide to the essential things to do to find the perfect family home will help you better locate a property that fits the needs and desires of your loved ones. If you have any questions or comments to share, or you’d like to learn more about Tomball, TX real estate, get in touch today! Contact realtor Haley Garcia for more information.
*Header photo courtesy of Haley Garcia Group
