Perhaps you are shopping for a home right now with no kids, but you plan to have some before you move out of the house in the future.
If that is the case, it is important to think ahead when you are home shopping so that you pick a property that will still work out great for you once you have children. Here are some key considerations.
- Size of your home. Try and take a guess at how many kids you are likely to have. Then, pick a home that will offer enough space for all of you someday to live comfortably and have a sense of privacy.
- Number and types of rooms. While ensuring you will have enough space, you can also evaluate the overall layout of the home. Check to see if there will be enough bedrooms, as well as any other types of rooms that you want for your family (i.e. playrooms, game rooms, flex rooms, etc.).
- Outdoor spaces. Kids typically like to spend a lot of time outside when they are growing up. So, do not overlook outdoor spaces. Shop for a property that includes a spacious yard if possible. If you can’t get that, even a nice patio or balcony can be good to have.
- Safety. Choose a home in a neighborhood where you will feel comfortable with your kids playing outside. That means it should have a low crime rate, safe neighbors, and hopefully not a lot of other hazards (i.e. try to avoid busy roads with cars driving by quickly).
- Schools. The school district you buy a home in will have a major impact on your children’s futures. For many parents, this is one of the top considerations when deciding on a neighborhood. Look up ratings and reviews for the district, as well as individual schools, and try asking around on social media.
- Fun features. While not as important as the rest of what we have gone over, one more thing you might consider when choosing a home for your future family is whether there are any fun or exciting features that go beyond the basics. For example, perhaps you find a house with a swimming pool, or one with unique and imaginative architecture. A child would probably have fun growing up in a house like that.
- Affordable mortgage. Finally, while you are picking out the perfect home for your family, you should also be thinking about your home loan. Calculate ahead to figure out what your budget will be like after you have kids, and make sure you are getting a mortgage you will be able to afford.
Buy a Home in Virginia
Now you know what to consider when you are shopping for a home in Virginia as a future parent. If you are ready to apply for a mortgage, please give us a call at (540) 838-5868 to schedule your consultation. We can help you purchase a home in Blacksburg or anywhere in Virginia.
