While having a large family can be a blessing in numerous ways, it does come with certain challenges. And one of the challenges you’ll encounter has to do with buying a home for your large family. You have to make sure it meets your current and future space requirements, as well as meeting everyone’s individual needs – while still remaining within your budgetary reach. Finding such a home is no easy task, so we’d like to help you out. Check out these 5 things to consider when buying a home for a large family in Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
1. More Space Than You Think You Need
Of course, the first thing to consider when buying a home for a large family in Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is how much space you’ll need. The problem here is that most home buyers with large families underestimate how much space they’ll actually need.
For example, “[m]any people who have three children, look for a four-bedroom home, one room for them and their spouse, and one room for each child. While that math does check out, you might find that having a little extra room can be helpful.” And that extra room moves beyond “helpful” to necessary if your family grows and when your children get older.
A common recommendation, then, for buying a home is to choose one with a finished basement or attic space. “As your kids get older, they are going to want their privacy and space to have their friends over. You will likely want and need places to entertain or for your friends and family members to sleep when they come over for the night or for a longer period of time. Choosing a house with a sizeable finished basement space or attic can help your home be versatile for situations like this. Such a space may also be ideal for older children who are living at home while attending college.”
2. Large Outdoor Areas and Plenty of Yard Space
Another important consideration when buying a home for your large family is the size of the yard and the outdoor spaces. Even though it means more yard work and maintenance, you’ll find that you need that extra space outside.
A bigger yard will provide plenty of room for your children to play safely. “Additionally, a larger yard offers room for your pets to roam more freely, an area to host barbeques or backyard get-togethers, as well as the option of building on to your home in the future. If you decide to expand your family or find that the original space has become too small, having a big yard allows for growth. If your children play sports you should consider having an area large enough for them to practice, or if you want a pool in your back yard, you need to think about the size of the area that you need and if you could easily build a fence.”
Sometimes, finding a home that meets your other needs and has a large yard can be difficult. But an Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex agent can help you find what you want and need. Just call 817-442-2167 to discover more.
3. Large Garage and Plenty of Parking Space
You also need to consider the size of the garage and the available parking space when buying a home for a large family in Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Those cute little kids running around the house will soon be driving and will likely have cars of their own.
“If you currently only have two cars, you may think you don’t need extra garage space. However, if you have multiple children, at some point in the future, various people will be driving and needing space to park. Additionally, you should consider what kinds of home events you typically host and the parking requirements of those events at your new home. Also, having a larger garage leaves extra space for storage. Beyond just housing your motor vehicles, there is typically shelving and space to put boxes and things for future use which allows you to keep the space in the home that is visible to your guests more clutter-free.”
4. The Neighborhood
You should always consider the neighborhood when buying a home, especially when you have young children. Keep in mind that you aren’t just buying a home – you’re also buying into a neighborhood. So you need to make sure it’s safe, that it’s family-friendly, and that it offers everything you need.
“This might seem like common sense to most people; however, there are a few things to consider when looking at your neighborhood. First, you want to be sure the area is safe and that the school district is one that you like. Next, you want to see what kind of neighbors are in the area. Are there other kids? Is there a sense of community? Will they allow your pets? These are all questions you should look into before you set your heart on a new home.”
5. Affordability
And, certainly, you’ll need to consider affordability. With a large family, you’ll need a bigger home. And buying a bigger home means a larger down payment, bigger monthly mortgage payment, higher property taxes, and costlier homeowners insurance, as well as higher costs for maintenance and repairs. So do put pencil to paper and make sure you can afford the house you want to buy.
An excellent step here is to first get pre-approved for a mortgage. This will allow you to know what the bank thinks you can afford and so will help you determine what you can afford. But, remember, just because you can borrow a certain amount doesn’t mean you should because there are a host of hidden costs to homeownership.
Choosing a Local Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Agent When Buying a Home
Ultimately, one of the best things you can do is to work closely with an experienced, local Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex agent. Your local agent will have access to listings before they even hit the market and can help you find a home to meet your needs and usually within your price range. So if buying a home for a large family in Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is on the horizon for you, be sure to contact us today at 817-442-2167.