Finding the right home for your family can be a challenge. With so many wants and needs from individual members of the family, it may be difficult to find one that can tick every box in everyone’s wish list.
So how will you know which home is the right one for you and your family? Here are our top tips:
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Know your budget
Your budget should be the first thing to consider before you start looking for that perfect family home. It’s important to know how much you’ll be spending for your new house because it affects the size and the location of your home. The cost of your home also depends on which community you decide to live in, and its proximity to key amenities like schools and central business districts.
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Have a family discussion
After knowing your budget, the next step is to gather the family to discuss what each member wants to have in the new home. Because each family member has different needs and wants, it’s important to address them. This way, you’ll have an idea of what to look for during your home search. You can also come to an agreement about the family’s overall goal for buying a house so it can become the context upon which individual wants and needs can be gauged.
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Decide on the location
The location of your future home depends on whether your family would prefer to live in the city or in the suburbs. Knowing this narrows down your search and helps you decide what kind of home you’d like to live in. You also need to check if there are nearby schools, malls, parks in the area.
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Determine the size of your home
If you have a big family, or you’re planning to grow your family in the future, you will need to get a home with more space than you need now. But if you know that your children will be moving out in a couple of years, it’s best to get a home that simply serves current needs so you can avoid having a huge and empty house to yourself in the future.
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Consider extra rooms
Also consider getting a home with additional rooms that can be used as play rooms, study rooms, or hobby rooms for your kids. Eventually, you can use these rooms as guest bedrooms or additional storage space once your kids leave the nest.
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Check out the neighborhood
Choose your neighborhood wisely. Scour the internet for neighborhood ratings and reviews. Drive around the area yourself to get the vibe of the place. Is it family-friendly? Are the parks, playground, and community centers in the potential neighborhood well maintained? Also make sure that your potential neighborhood is secure enough to your liking so that your family stays safe at all times.
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Research nearby schools
Look for quality schools in the area that have excellent curriculums and programs. You can also check out the Great Schools website for ratings and reviews of potential schools.
For family-friendly homes in Chicagoland and the surrounding suburbs, check out our Communities page or call Rory James at (847) 971-0674. You can also email rjames(at)askunique(dotted)com.