March 28, 2017 Buying a New Home for Your Growing Family

We meet families all the time in our presentation centres looking for the perfect home to meet their specific needs. Whether these homebuyers are a couple looking to start a new family, parents requiring a larger space for their growing children or a family looking to add to their clan in the near future, they know what they are looking for in a new condo or townhome.

Right Sizing Your Family Home

Right sizing is knowing how much living space you need for your family to guide your home buying decision. Consider how many bedrooms and flex spaces you need and what the optimal layout is. Efficient floor plans with open space and flex areas can benefit your daily routines. An open floorplan allows movement through the kitchen, living and dining area, and good sight lines to your baby or child playing nearby. A flex area can be converted to a home office, third bedroom, or guest room for grandparents. Additionally, certain features whether it be a storage locker, larger refrigerator, or pantry can also be particularly beneficial.

A Community to Call Home

Your definition of “home” should also extend to the community where you want to live. Write down your top two or three “must-haves” for neighbourhood living that will make your local outings enjoyable whether it’s outdoor activities, a yoga studio, park, community centre, shopping district, food market or a great coffee shop. Review your check-list and choose items that will have a positive impact on your day-to-day requirements and future family activities such as choosing a good catchment area for schools. Your wish list will vary by family and lifestyle, and there are many great developments with amenities that may be better suited to your needs such as having a gym, social lounge for entertaining, play structure or dog park right in your building.

Accessibility and Getting Around Town

As a family, decide if you prefer living in an urban or suburban area, where can you imagine you and your kid(s) growing up. Another key factor in the home buying process is looking at accessibility and your time to get from point A to point B. Consider your commute to and from work and if this will be by car, bike or transit. We also see many families choose a new home near grandparents or family members to assist with child care. When you plan think about parent coordination for drop-off and pick-up at your child’s daycare and schools.

Set A Plan and Know Your Priorities

As a family, take the time to define your goals and develop a plan for home ownership. Your planning process should include understanding your budget, home features, community amenities and ranking them in order of importance to help make the buying decision process easier.