The home buying process can be incredibly difficult and complex, especially if you are a first-time home buyer. Add first-time parents into the mix and the situation can get a lot stickier. Not only are you worried about the location and affordability, but now you need to think more about safety and walkability, the school districts, and your house size for a potentially growing family.
Add in a mess of other factors that you’ll never think about until you’ve lived through them (the best way to learn is renting a home or apartment with your kids before buying a house), and it’s easy to make a mistake no matter how thorough you’ve been. Thankfully, we’ve done the research and put together a few tips so that you can feel confident in your search for a kid-friendly home.
The School District
The number one factor for many new parents seeking their forever-home is the school district. Not only should you seek a high-ranking district when possible, but you’ll also want to think about the extracurricular activities. Is there a baseball team affiliated with the school or area? How about tutoring and other after-school activities? If you’re interested in private or religious schools, you’ll want to make sure they’re available in your area as well.
Safety
A safe neighborhood with low crime, well-lit streets, and friendly neighbors all come to mind during the hunt for a new house. However, you’ll want to think beyond crime when you have kids.
Analyze the traffic on the street during busy times of the day. Are cars flying by? Is it a safe place for children to play? Are there sidewalks to walk on? Safety pertains to the home as well. Make sure there are no sharp corners, wide banisters, or open stairways where kids can get injured
Bedroom Placement
You’ll immediately think about how many rooms you need to accommodate your family, but what about the placement of those rooms? Consider that you have or are looking to have a new baby. There’s room for a nursery—great! Unfortunately, that nursery is upstairs and your main bedroom is on the first floor. You’ll be running up and down stairs all night to feed and change your bundle of joy. Look for a house with bedrooms all on the same floor.
Yard Visibility
It’s great to have a big yard, but have you ever considered how difficult it can be to keep an eye on your kids if there is no sightline to the backyard? Ideally, your kitchen windows should overlook the backyard so you can keep an eye on your kids at play while you do dishes or cook dinner.
Shopping Nearby
When you have a few kids, amenities like a grocery store, bakery, or coffee shop within walking distance can be a great asset. Instead of the 20 minutes, it may take to get your crew ready and pack into car seats, you can just hold hands and grab a stroller for a quick walk.
Add in a mess of other factors that you’ll never think about until you’ve lived through them (the best way to learn is renting a home or apartment with your kids before buying a house), and it’s easy to make a mistake no matter how thorough you’ve been. Thankfully, we’ve done the research and put together a few tips so that you can feel confident in your search for a kid-friendly home.
The School District
The number one factor for many new parents seeking their forever-home is the school district. Not only should you seek a high-ranking district when possible, but you’ll also want to think about the extracurricular activities. Is there a baseball team affiliated with the school or area? How about tutoring and other after-school activities? If you’re interested in private or religious schools, you’ll want to make sure they’re available in your area as well.
Safety
A safe neighborhood with low crime, well-lit streets, and friendly neighbors all come to mind during the hunt for a new house. However, you’ll want to think beyond crime when you have kids.
Analyze the traffic on the street during busy times of the day. Are cars flying by? Is it a safe place for children to play? Are there sidewalks to walk on? Safety pertains to the home as well. Make sure there are no sharp corners, wide banisters, or open stairways where kids can get injured
Bedroom Placement
You’ll immediately think about how many rooms you need to accommodate your family, but what about the placement of those rooms? Consider that you have or are looking to have a new baby. There’s room for a nursery—great! Unfortunately, that nursery is upstairs and your main bedroom is on the first floor. You’ll be running up and down stairs all night to feed and change your bundle of joy. Look for a house with bedrooms all on the same floor.
Yard Visibility
It’s great to have a big yard, but have you ever considered how difficult it can be to keep an eye on your kids if there is no sightline to the backyard? Ideally, your kitchen windows should overlook the backyard so you can keep an eye on your kids at play while you do dishes or cook dinner.
Shopping Nearby
When you have a few kids, amenities like a grocery store, bakery, or coffee shop within walking distance can be a great asset. Instead of the 20 minutes, it may take to get your crew ready and pack into car seats, you can just hold hands and grab a stroller for a quick walk.