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The Front Porch Blog

Education on all things homeownership

Plan Ahead When Buying Your Next Home

July 21, 2020 Lifestyle

They say failing to prepare is preparing to fail. If you don’t consider what the future might hold when searching for a home, you may not make the right choice for your family. Be aware of some factors that might impact what home is right for you. Thinking ahead will ensure your next home is one you can enjoy for years to come.

Having a Baby

Adding a bundle of joy to the family means you’ll need an extra room to transform into a nursery. Decide what the perfect amount of rooms you would need in order to meet your current needs and then consider adding a few rooms if you plan on growing your family. A four-bedroom abode may sound excessive for just you and your spouse- but not if you want to add a few children to your clan. 

Adding a Pet

If a furry friend is in your family’s future, make sure the home you are buying can accommodate a pet. If you want a dog, they will probably need a yard and perhaps a little extra square footage to roam around. Some HOA’s have breed restrictions or may restrict the number of pets you can have. In addition, you’ll want to look at the flooring. Wall-to-wall carpet won’t be ideal for clawing cats or potty-training puppies. 

Home Office Needs

The workforce landscape is changing as more and more jobs are being done remotely. A study on the future of our workforce predicts that 73% of all teams will have remote workers by 2028. If there is a possibility someone in the household will eventually work remotely, you’ll want an extra room you can use as a home office. Having a separate space to work in helps remote workers reduce distractions and increase productivity.

Supporting Older Generations

When your parents or in-laws grow older, you may decide having them live with you is the best way to keep them happy and healthy. Nearly one in five Americans, or 17%, care for someone who is 50 or older, so consider extra room to prepare for this situation. It’s important to also determine whether the layout will require them to climb stairs and if this will be difficult for them to do.

Kids Moving Out

If your kids are flying the coop soon, will your nest be too large? When shopping for a home, try to strike a balance between enough room for your family and not too much room once some of them are living elsewhere. In this case, Lennar Mortgage can also help you consider downsizing.

Is your family growing or shrinking in the time you plan to be in your future home? Make sure the number of rooms, square footage and land you are looking for will accommodate future changes. It’s also important to know what you can afford. Lennar Mortgage can help! Contact us to get prequalified for the home of your dreams today.