There are a lot of options when it comes to buying a home in\nthe Bay Area. From condos to townhomes to detached single-family, there\u2019s a\nhouse to fit every family, no matter how big or small. But when it comes to\nfinding your next family home, there are a few more things to consider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s ideal for a single person won\u2019t necessarily work for a family with young children. When you\u2019re searching for your new home, here are some questions to consider to make sure you pick the right home for your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most homes are professionally staged to give buyers an idea\nof how their lives could look like if they purchased the house. While you\u2019re\ntouring homes, its important to look past the designed rooms and investigate\nthe practical details. Don\u2019t just count how many bedrooms there are; notice where<\/em> they are located. If you prefer\nthe bedrooms are all on the same level, you wouldn\u2019t want a home with a\nfirst-first master suite. Do you want clear sightlines to the backyard so you\ncan keep an eye on the kids while they\u2019re playing? Is there additional room in\ncase your family grows? While you can easily change fixtures or paint colors,\nyou can\u2019t easily change a floorplan so its important to make sure it fits your\nfamily from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your kids may not want to be at home all the time (and you\nprobably don\u2019t want that either) so check to see if there are any kid-friendly\namenities like libraries, parks and playgrounds, or community centers nearby. Bonus\npoints if it\u2019s within walking distance to your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you purchase a new home, you\u2019re also buying into the\nneighborhood. Do your research and investigate if the neighborhood is right for\nyour family. Make a point of driving through the neighborhood at different\ntimes during the day, especially during commute hours and the evening. Not only\nwill this give a general idea how the commute will be, it\u2019ll also give you a\nmore rounded view of your neighborhood. What may seem like a quiet neighborhood\nduring the week while you visited the home may be a loud and lively\nneighborhood in the evening as people return from work or on the weekends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While parents of school-aged kids are already keyed into\nschool districts, it may not be top of mind for parents of babies and toddlers,\nor even future parents. Check to see if the schools that serve your potential\nneighborhood is up to your requirements. If you want your children to go to\nanother school outside the district, consider if the commute (whether you\u2019ll be\ndriving them or using public transit) is practical.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAre there kid-friendly amenities nearby?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How is the neighborhood?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What school districts serve this neighborhood?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n