When It Comes To Real Estate, Does Size Matter?

Written by Jaymi Naciri Posted On Wednesday, 01 July 2020 05:00

This one’s too big. This one’s too small. This one’s JUUUUUSSSTTTT right. When it comes to choosing the right size home, how do you know what fits? Here are as few tips to help you figure it out.

Think in terms of usable space, not square footage

You may have 3,000 square feet in your mind as your desired space. But what’s really important is how that space is used. It might turn out that 3,000 square feet is too expensive. But even if it’s not, what’s the layout like? Are there a bunch of unusable rooms? Maybe there are too many bedrooms at the expense of the living space. And you probably don’t want to spend all your time cleaning rooms you don’t even use?

You might be surprised to discover that the 1,800-square-foot new build is planned far better than the 2,600-square-foot older home, and that the open layout and use of space makes the house feel even bigger.

Then again…

Think about the future

Are you just married? You might think a starter home with just a couple of bedrooms is all you need. But are you planning on having kids soon: It might behoove you to get a house that’s ready for babies instead of thinking that you can move up in a couple of years.

Maybe you’re an established family with a couple of kids who think a three-bedroom place would be perfect. But are you getting to the stage where you might have grandparents moving in or an older child returning to the roost? Perhaps an extra room is worth paying for.

Ask yourself what you really want

It’s time to ask yourself some hard questions. Do you ever need alone time? Want a room you can go into and close the door to read a book? Do you need a man cave or a room you can use as a home theater? 

How about a dedicated home office or a guestroom? Determining your must-haves can help you decide how much house you want. Now it’s just a matter of seeing if you can afford it.

Speaking of…

How much money is too much?

It’s human nature to want as much as we can get. But can you really pay for it? Before you commit yourself to a larger home that comes with a larger payment, do some hard thinking about what you can comfortably afford. You don’t want to bite off more than you can chew.

Consider the state of the world

“For the past several years, the trend among many luxury homebuyers in the U.S. has been clear: bigger isn’t necessarily better,” said Realtor.com. “As with so many other aspects of day-to-day life, the coronavirus pandemic has turned all that on its head. Preferences vary by price range and region, but buyers in every market are eyeing extra space. Versions of this trend are playing out in markets all over the U.S., making it an opportune moment for sellers looking to unload extra acreage, and a time for interested buyers to move quickly.”

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