Owning your own home is the American dream. However, a home becomes more of a necessity than a dream as you get older and start a family. The apartment that seemed so spacious when you were in your 20s quickly becomes crowded when children come along. Whether you have outgrown your apartment or you’re looking to move your growing family out of your parents’ house, these four tips can get you into the perfect home before you turn 40.
Plan Your Budget
Finances are the most important part of buying a home. Start planning your budget well in advance and take care of any issues that might stand in your way. Consider getting preapproval for a mortgage so you can know how much you have to work with and clean up your credit by catching up on any payments that are behind.
Enlist the Help of a Professional
Looking through the pages and pages of listings on housing websites can be a daunting task. Save time by contacting a real estate agent to help you navigate your local housing market. A good real estate agent listens to your needs and shows you only the homes that best fit your budget and requirements. Real estate agents can also point out features in a home that you may not have considered and answer all your questions about the house and the neighborhood.
Don’t Dismiss the Suburbs
The suburbs might seem boring, but they offer many benefits for families. You can get more bang for your buck in the suburbs with four-bedroom houses going for the same price as a small condo in the city. Suburbs also have higher-quality schools with lower student to teacher ratios, better test scores and more extracurricular activities. All of these family-friendly qualities make a move to the suburbs worth the added commute time.
Keep the Future in Mind
Three bedrooms might be perfect for your family of four, but may become crowded if you plan on having more children. Remember that you may need more bathroom and garage space when your children become teenagers. Also consider whether you plan to add any pets to the family. Certain home features like delicate carpeting or antique wood may not be animal-friendly.
Although these four tips can help get you into a great family home soon, there’s no reason to rush if you have doubts. The longer you wait to purchase your home, the more time you have to save and plan.
