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New Parents? What to Consider When Buying a Home

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Are you a new parent? Then it’s understandable that you might be thinking of buying a new home. After all, a three-bedroom single-family home in a quiet suburb is usually a better place to raise your children than a one-bedroom condo in the city center — no matter how nice the condo is.

Before you find a real estate agent and buy, there are several points you need to consider. Let’s look at this new home checklist for new parents.

New Home Checklist

  • Location: As Forbes states, location is critical, since it’s the one thing you can’t change about a home. Do some practical research into the area. You can use NeighborhoodScout to do some research. Simply type the address of the home in, and you’ll get information about median home value, crime rates, and unique factors. Note that you can also contact local law enforcement to learn more about crime in the area. In addition, it’s wise to contact the city planning department to find out if there are any major plans for the area that could impact its livability and the future resale value of the home. For example, the construction of a new mall two blocks over. This could lead to more investment in the area and home prices subsequently rising. At the same time, the construction of a factory could have a negative impact on air quality and noise levels. This may very well result in plummeting house values.
  • Schools: Kids grow up fast, and before you know it, it’s time for your little one to go to preschool. Use GreatSchools.org to find out which schools are in the area and what quality they are.
  • Bedroom placement: As Realtor explains, when you start a family, you’ll want your children’s bedrooms to be within earshot of your own. You want to be able to respond quickly if your kids need anything. That’s why a home that has the master bedroom on a different floor from the other bedrooms might not be the best choice.
  • Babyproofing: When your son or daughter starts to crawl and walk, you need to make sure that they can’t get hurt. That means paying attention to things like where the furnace is, the temperature the water is set at and whether or not you can easily put up a baby gate and banister guard around your staircase. You’ll also want to babyproof the closets in the kitchen and bathroom. Pay attention to any power outlets that are within reach. Safety should always be near the top of any new home checklist for new parents.
  • The yard: If the home has a yard, there are several factors to consider. It’s best if you can see the yard from the kitchen or living room, just in case your children are out there alone. If the yard borders on a road, is there a sturdy fence that will keep intruders out and your children in? And if there’s a pond or pool, is there a way to prevent your children from going near it unaccompanied?

When you’re buying the home where you want to raise your children, you want to guarantee comfort and safety. So keep this new home checklist in mind next time you visit an open house!

Additional sources:

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/top-10-considerations-when-buying-a-house-061913.html

https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/learn-about-neighborhood-demographics/