Finding the right-sized home for your family can leave you feeling like Goldilocks, sifting through homes that are \u201ctoo big\u201d or \u201ctoo small\u201d while looking for the one that is \u201cjust right.\u201d Before you start looking at homes, its important to figure out how much space you\u2019ll need in your new home. Here are some things to keep in mind as you nail down just how much space your family will need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first step to house hunting is always: check your budget. But this goes beyond knowing how much you can afford in mortgage payments; it’s understanding how the size of your home will affect your property taxes, insurance, utilities, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assess your current home and how you\u2019re currently living in\nit. Are there things you like about it? Anything you wish you could change?\nWalk around your home and take notes of your thoughts about the space. Does it\nfeel too crowded? Too spacious (that\u2019s a thing!). Is the room awkwardly shaped?\nIs there enough storage? Does your family feel like they\u2019re standing on top of\neach other? You may want to measure each room so you can better compare when\nviewing homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you looked over your home, think about what you need\nright now: do you need a dedicated office space? More bedrooms? Do you want\nyour own master bathroom? Or maybe you\u2019re retiring and want a smaller space\nwith less yard. These will affect the size home you\u2019ll need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider your future plans: do you have (or plan to have)\nkids? Is there a chance your parents or in-laws will move in with you? Do you\nneed space for a home office or will you need one in the future? It\u2019s\nimpossible to know what exactly will happen in the future, ideally, you\u2019ll be\nable to find a home that\u2019s able to accommodate whatever life throws at you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s more to home size than just square footage. If\nyou\u2019ve ever been in a small home that felt big, you\u2019ll understand. A 1,200\nsquare foot home with an efficient floorplan can feel just as spacious as a\n1,800 square foot home. Don\u2019t get stuck on a home\u2019s square footage; if the home\nhas the right number of bedrooms and hits your must-haves, don\u2019t immediately\ncross it off your list because it\u2019s less than your size requirements. Tour the\nhome and see how it flows. Take note of how the space is used and identify any\nwasted space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n