4 Must Haves For Choosing a Home With Kids
Choosing a home for kids to live in requires extra precautions that you wouldn’t necessarily have to think about if you were living alone. When searching for the perfect home for your family whether it be for older children or a small baby, it’s important to weigh out all the factors between safety and potential hazards, to features that will provide convenience for you as a parent.
Many times parents rush into a property based on the fact that it’s visually appealing, or adult-friendly, only to move in and see down the line that all of the stress and inconvenience it creates with children wasn’t worth it.
That’s not to say you should move into somewhere that you don’t like at all visually and is completely based around children. A balance is certainly necessary since your children won’t always be children.
photo TaxRebate.org.uk via Flickr
Take a look at some of the most important features you should look for when finding the perfect home to build a life in with kids.
Maintenance / Repairs
If you are looking for somewhere to rent rather than purchase, it’s essential to find somewhere that you know will be efficient at replying to maintenance and repair needs. You never know when your sink can clog, a pipe can burst, or a basement can flood. If living in an apartment complex, it’s crucial to know that your property management is attentive and responsive.
If you are renting a house make sure that you define the guidelines with your landlord before moving in that you know how responsive they can commit to being if anything ever goes wrong.
Backyard
Kids are energetic and need lots of space to run and be free! A big backyard not only ensures more enjoyment for them to be able to burn off energy, but it also helps the parents tear their hair out less because their children aren’t running around in circles like lions in a cage confined and hyper.
Ideally, a backyard that’s enclosed without major hazards like large stones or drop-offs is ideal for younger children.
Nearby Stores
You never know when you might need some extra milk or sugar. A store nearby is a great convenience for people with kids. You don’t always necessarily want to get in your car and drive somewhere.
A nearby store makes it easy to get last minute needs by just a short walk.
Parking
If you have kids in the car who are hungry or have to pee, the last thing you want to be doing is circling the block looking for parking.
Ensure that your home has either a parking garage or spot. Additionally, it might be worth looking into guest parking.
Author: Anna Johansson
