Words of Wisdom for Your First Family Home

For any newlyweds or young families, buying your own home is a milestone. As one of the most expensive things you’ll buy in your lifetime (a scary thought, I know!) it’s not a decision to be taken lightly.

I thought I’d share some of the things I learnt when I was buying my house and what I had to think about when accommodating my beautiful little sprogs. Of course, it’s different for everyone, but here are my words of wisdom…

Scout Out the Local Area

It’s important to plan ahead when looking into where you’ll be based in your new home. Although it may seem fine for your current lifestyle, future plans could scupper this!

Look into the catchment area and the local schools because, like any parent, you’ll want what’s best for your kids. A good tip is to look up the school’s Ofsted reports – they’re available to view online and can give an insight into where you could be sending your children every day.

Another important factor is how convenient the location is. Let’s face it, you’re not always going to want to drag the entire family out just to buy a pint of milk, so having local shops around the corner might be a godsend for any young family.

If you don’t drive, you should look for somewhere with convenient public transport links. This could make a trip into town, travelling between appointments and playdates or seeing friends so much easier. Contact a local estate agent like Andrews as they can use their local expertise to find the perfect area for your growing family.

Future-Proof Your Home

If you’re ready to start nesting and imagine your new home to be your ‘forever home’, you need to make sure that it can grow with you. Think about your dream home, your budget and the essentials you want. Do you want a big garden? Do you see a house full of children in the future? Do you want to be in the city or in the countryside? Having this list in your mind means you’ll be less likely to want an upgrade a few years down the line.

If kids are involved in your life plan, keep in mind whether the space can be optimised for an extra family member or if you can add an extension in future. According to property expert Phil Spencer , the most effective ways to add value to your house are through loft conversions and conservatories. So, if you do decide to eventually sell, your improvements will at least add some extra value to your home.

When getting on the property ladder for the first time, don’t forget that you’re looking for a house that can grow with your family. These are just some of the things you should consider when picking your dream home. Then you can start the fun part – decorating!

** This is a collaborative post **