Kids deserve a warm, welcoming home. Finding that home requires looking beyond the aesthetics of a house. While some features might be visually appealing or trendy, they may fall short when it comes to child care and safety. 

Buying a home with the right features is pivotal to ensuring you can stay in your house for the long haul and avoid having to do major renovations (at least for a while). 

If you have kids or are planning to, here are eight homebuying features to consider before shelling for a down payment. 

The right floor plan

While some might prefer a more closed off floor plan so toddlers can be contained, an open concept space lends itself to family togetherness. Family activities can flow naturally from the kitchen to the dining area to the family room, with plenty of sightlines to see what your little ones are getting into. Kitchens are often considered the heart of a home, and with renovations averaging nearly $15,000, you may want to prioritize a floor plan that already accommodates your cooking needs.  

Depending on your kids’ ages, you should also consider whether or not you want a single- or two-story house. Stairs and landings can be safety issues, so you’ll want to look for a design that allows stairs to be gated at the top and bottom without railings that invite climbing. A second floor, however, can help provide a measure of independence for teenagers or parents looking to enjoy a relaxing evening after putting the kids to bed. 

The number of bedrooms and bathrooms

Sharing a room isn’t always ideal for children, and making sure everyone has their own space can help cut down on bickering. Extra rooms may also come in handy when guests visit, especially if you’re hoping grandma and grandpa will come and take the kids off your hands for a few days. 

Perhaps more importantly, aim for two or more full bathrooms. It’s more convenient, it prevents bottlenecks in the morning and it allows for at least one bathroom to be dedicated to kid-friendly designs and accessories. For example, you may want a floating vanity with easy storage for step stools or a trough sink with two faucets to help minimize messiness and wash more hands at a time. Sure, some of these additions can be updated after the fact, but given that the cost of a bathroom renovation has increased by 20% since the start of 2020, prioritizing these features during the house hunt could save you money in the long run. 

Traditional bathtubs

While walk-in showers and big soaking tubs might be your dream bathroom features, they’re not practical for kids. A traditional tub/shower combination is best for little ones in terms of safety and keeping bath time a playful experience. Don’t forget to add anti-scald devices and to set the water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to minimize the risk of burns. 

An added bonus for busy bathrooms — tiled walls. Children are messy, and tile is easier to clean than other surfaces. 

Mudrooms and laundry rooms

There’s an extremely good chance that your kids are going to come home from school, sports practice and other activities and dump their shoes, bags and coats at the door. Having a mudroom or a dedicated laundry room can help minimize the clutter. Ideally, it should have room for plenty of storage, and you can put in a bench to make taking off or putting on shoes easier. 

Plus, extra room for laundry is always welcome — uniforms, after-school jobs and toddler messes can make even the most organized laundry room feel like a battle zone. 

The right flooring 

Consider the flooring that will work best for your family. Carpet floors are great for crawling babies and toddlers learning to walk, but they’re annoying to clean and require regular vacuuming and periodic shampoos. 

Hardwood, on the other hand, is extremely durable and easy to sand down and refinish if your tastes change, but it can be easily scratched and destroyed. Vinyl and laminate flooring, however, come in a range of options that look good and will hold up through spills, cleats and other disasters. 

Lead-free paint

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), millions of homes still have lead-based paint. Sure, that contaminated paint may be hidden under layers of newer paint, but children have also been known to peel and chew on surfaces. Lead remediation is a complicated, expensive process. 

If you’re looking at older homes (built before 1978), look for a home that has results for paint-based testing along with an explanation of any remediation that’s been done in the past.

Proper fencing

A fence around your property can add to your peace of mind. This is especially important if the property borders woods, fields, creeks, busy streets or other potential dangers for children. 

A fence keeps your little ones from wandering too far off and keeps wildlife and other potential intruders out. It may also impact your home insurance rates, particularly if it’s used to close off dangerous elements, like a pool. 

Location, location, location

Of course, the school district is an important factor to consider if you have children, but think about other amenities, as well. For example, if you have a small yard, you may want to be near parks. 

Consider how far you are from local libraries and pools, museums, zoos and other activities you and your family enjoy. Similarly, if you have a teenager that will start driving soon, living closer to places they’ll frequent, like movie theaters or town centers, can help minimize the amount of time they spend driving. 

Naturally, having children shifts our priorities. Whether you already have kids or you plan to in the future, you’ll want to create a home they can grow and make memories in. You’ll save time, money and stress in the long run if you consider these features ahead of time.