How to Determine What Size Home Your Family Needs

You see celebrities living in huge mansions on their own, and then you also see large families living comfortably in small compact houses. Bigger houses definitely have their perks as they offer more bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms and basically just a lot more space. Smaller homes are definitely more cost effective as they are easier to heat, cool, furnish and maintain. But at the end it's not about what house you like, but rather what type of house is more ideal and suitable to your family and needs.

How much space do you need?

If you are looking for an ideal home for you and your family, there are a few things you need to consider while looking at what options are on the market. The first thing you should think about is the big picture and what you're looking to do. Are you considering downsizing compared to your current home or looking to go bigger? Are you perhaps looking to start a family in that home which would require more space? Is this your retirement home? Or do you have a lot of belongings and ust not enough space? How much time and expense are you going to devote to keeping the house clean? Are you looking to host friends and family for when they visit or would you prefer they stayed in a hotel? The list of questions you could ask yourself when making a decision such as selecting your future home, is endless but crucial.

First step

Assess the home you are currently living in and highlight what part of your home is ideal to you in terms of size, and what parts of the home you feel you require a larger area of. Don't forget to look at your outdoor space as well. Would you like a larger backyard to grow more fruits and plants?

Now look at your finances

It usually always comes down to money so when finding the ideal size of a home for home, look for something that won't be a strain on your finances. It's not only about how much money it will cost to buy the house but how much money you require to run it.

Resist the urge for bigger

Bigger is not necessarily always better, consider the overall floor plan and how it flows. Older houses used to have a separate formal living room which most people no longer use. So look for a more modern home that gives you maximum space in the places you require most. The aim is to find a home that makes use of every inch of space. A rule of thumb is to think of how much square feet is needed per person. The ideal square feet per person is about 600-700 feet.

The Floorplan

The floorplan of the house is always the most important, because if you're faced with a large sized home that's been designed poorly, you're better off finding a small more useful home. Look at what kind of rooms you specifically want. For example, at a time where many are working from home, you may require an office during meetings away from the bustle of your household. If you have kids at home you may want a kids room specifically for their arts and crafts needs so you don't end up with paint on the walls of your living room. Trust your instincts about what you think is most suitable to your needs and feels comfortable. So if you're someone with younger kids you might want the master suite to be closer and most accessible to the kids rooms. Or if you have elderly residing in the home you would want a bedroom on the ground floor to make things easier for them.

Other Amenities

Don't just spend all your time considering the main living spaces such as the dining room, the living room and the bedrooms. Look into the other overlooked spaces such as a laundry room and storage closets. Think about whether you would prefer having a laundry room upstairs or downstairs and which would be more useful to you. Would you like to have a study or spare room for certain hobbies such as tailoring or painting. Do you have a lot of belongings where having an attic or a basement would be useful?

HIghlight or write down a list of things that bear most importance in your home buying decisions, as well as preferences that are secondary. By having a clear list of what you require to make your house a home, you will be able to focus on the most crucial things and then all the other added benefits.

At the end of the day, your choice of home is very specific to your needs and criteria. Different families have different lifestyles and different stages of life. Hence why there isn't a rulebook or a one size fits all tip for everyone. Searching for the perfect home for you and your family is a tiring task but incredibly rewarding, so take your time when you search for the most ideal home.

Buckeye Northwest Realty provides houses for rent in Toledo, Ohio and the surrounding areas. To learn more about houses for rent, contact us today!