I don’t know about you but I always get little flurries of looking through Rightmove; curiosity over whether a house comes up that might take our fancy even when we’re not looking at moving. We had so much to consider when we moved from our last house almost 8 years ago. We had already started our family, but were considering whether we’d have more children. We were looking for something a bit bigger, perhaps something that had character but that also had the potential to make our own, something we could grow into and so on and so on – the list is endless!
It doesn’t matter if, like us, you already had children, or are a couple looking to buy a house to become a family home, you’ll always look for a property with a certain set of features that you can tick off your own list. Certain qualities tend to be extremely desirable when children, and even pets, are introduced into the equation.
Assessing Space and Layout
The more people living in your home, the more space you’ll need – otherwise you might have to get creative. It’s not always about the current demands and needs for the immediate future, but on the space and layout you might need in the further future. If you intend on having three more children after you move in, it’s always reassuring to know that there’s space there to accommodate them – even though you’ll always fit in any children you have into a family home.
You can get the best from the available space with the help of the right bespoke storage furniture, and by creating spaces that can serve as multiple purpose. You might use the living area as a playroom, and enjoy clear lines of sight. If you want to keep an eye on the children in the lounge while you’re chopping vegetables in the kitchen, then open-plan might be a better option. On the other hand, if you already have older children who crave their own private sanctuary, having separate rooms might be a virtue.
In new-build homes, open-plan tends to be the default option. In older ones, you might find that you need to convert, extend or rejig the layout in order to get the space you need. We’ve done a bit of everything since we moved in – that’s what makes the house your home, right?
Prioritising Safety and Security Features
Keeping the space safe might be a key priority. If you have very small children, look for staircases that can be easily modified with gates – ideally without permanently damaging the walls. We had a particularly tricky time finding one that worked for us but we got there in the end.
More generally, you might look for houses in areas of the town with low rates of crime – and away from busy roads. Think about how long it will take you to get to the nearest hospital, too. With us we made a compromise; we do live on a busy road, but we’re fortunate to have a long drive with an electric gate at the end so it was easy for us to contain the children when they were smaller, but it also gave us the opportunity to teach road safety from a very young age.
Evaluating Energy Efficiency and Maintenance Requirements
As well as the up-front cost of buying the property, you’ll also want to think about how much it will cost you to run. Look at the quality of the insulation, and of the double-glazing that’s already fitted. Consider the efficiency of the boiler, and how soon it will need to be replaced. Generally speaking, older homes tend to be more expensive to run – especially if planning restrictions prevent them from having modern windows fitted.
You can get a sense of the overall performance of a property before you buy it, with the help of the Energy Performance Certificate. Bear in mind that efficiency matters more in busy households – since these are the ones that use the most energy.
Considering Location: Proximity to Amenities and Community Feel
We’ve already mentioned the importance of a local hospital. But other local facilities might also impact the appeal of a potential family home. You’ll want to be able to easily reach quality schools and parkland – ideally without having to rely on the roads.
Convenient access to supermarkets, restaurants and cafes, as well as a welcoming local community, might also be essential. If you’re a commuter, think about proximity to public travel. We’re so lucky to live by the coast and have parkland aplenty right on our doorstep but we’re not so fortunate with other provisions that would benefit our children long term.
What would your essentials be when looking for a family home?