29 Jul 5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Home Size
Whether you’re moving into your first home or you’ve changed houses more times than you can count, you want the right fit for your family. Along with cost, the size of the home is your most important
consideration.
A home that’s too small could complicate your life by making your family feel crowded. But a home that’s
too large is difficult to upkeep. Ask yourself these questions before settling on the right size home for
your family.
1. How Large Is My Current Home?
First, evaluate your current home. Do you wish you had more room to cook or even just relax? Do you and your family members have a hard time finding space to be alone? Are several people sharing one bathroom? If so, look for a larger abode.
However, many families actually choose to downsize. Are there rooms in your home you hardly ever enter? Are there unused bedrooms? Is cleaning your home a huge hassle? If so, getting a smaller home may increase your happiness.
2. How Big Will My Family Be in Five Years?
Rather than thinking about how big your family is now, consider how big it might be in five or ten years.
You don’t want to find your dream home and then watch your family quickly outgrow your home’s size.
Consider how many children you want to have. If you have one child but are planning on having more, a two bedroom home may not give you enough room. Similarly, if there’s a chance your parents or in-laws will move in with you, you’ll need an extra bedroom to accommodate them. Most families find that a guest room is crucial for accommodating visitors.
On the other hand, your family size may shrink, leaving you with extra home space you don’t need. If your children will soon grow up and move out, you may wish you hadn’t purchased a five-bedroom home.
3. How Much Can I Afford?
This question means much more than how high of a mortgage you can afford. Along with costing more in total, larger homes cost more to upkeep, whether you’re doing the job yourself or paying a maid or
landscaper. You’ll also pay more to heat or cool a larger home.
Before you settle on a home, create a spreadsheet of estimated housing costs and how much you can afford to pay. Ask your realtor for information on local living costs. Don’t choose a home at the high end of your budget. Instead, choose a home with a mortgage at the low end of your budget in order to leave room for other costs.
4. How Often Do I Entertain?
Do you frequently hold large parties and family gatherings? If so, a small home may not be right for
you. Look for a home with a larger dining room and living room.
However, if you rarely have people over, that extra space may be a nuisance rather than a benefit.
5. Do I Spend Most of My Time at Home or Away?
Some people rarely leave home. They enjoy their hobbies at home and may even work from home. If you’re one of these people, your life demands more space. Look for a home that can accommodate a home office, home gym, or entertainment area.
Others spend most of their time working or traveling and hardly use their home’s space. A one- or two bedroom home may give them just what they need. Gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts may favor a smaller home on a larger landscape.
Choosing the size of your home can be complicated. Ask yourself these questions to get on the right track, and take your concerns to your builder. Adobe Homes builds many different sizes of luxury homes so you can find one that fits your family’s needs.