Looking at starting a family is an exciting phase of your life, and finding your dream home is all a part of this journey. However, weaving your way through this process and understanding all of the right options available to you is half the challenge – especially when growing family has plenty of needs to cater to.
So, here are some of our top tips to consider when you are on the hunt for your first property.
Getting mortgage pre-approval is a good idea
It goes without saying that the last thing you want during the process is disappointment.
To avoid this, we recommend initiating mortgage pre-approval so you can better understand the money you have available, and the properties within your budget range.
Consider if your family is likely to welcome a new arrival soon
Welcoming a little bundle of joy is often the trigger point to purchasing your first home, if you haven’t already. If you already have children, this will impact the style of the home you’ll be hunting for, so consider your current and future family circumstances.
For example, a multi-storey property may not be the best solution for households with young children.
Choose a home with a great outdoor space
Think back to your childhood – how many memories were inside the house and how many were made in the yard? While the digital age is a way of life, nothing beats time spent outdoors, so a secure, spacious play area is likely to be on your list of must-haves.
This also means you’ll have plenty of space for potential pets and entertaining – it’s a win-win.
Car parking availability and accessibility
We are all familiar with the burden of loading up the family car, and if you are not – you are bound to be one day.
When you are hunting around, keep an eye out for properties that have an easy-to-access carport or garage (preferably with internal access), for added security.
A spacious kitchen and bathroom
With children in tow, you’ll be cooking and preparing food a lot more regularly than you used to. The bathroom is also likely to get a workout. So, look for a property that has large spaces for both of these rooms, and modern amenities to make these tasks easier to manage.
The perfect location
While your family home is important in its own right, the location is vital. However, your price point and loan coverage will dictate the postcode you’re able to aim for. Despite the specific suburb, there are some additional factors to keep in mind, in terms of your potential surroundings:
- Are there quality schools nearby?
- Where is the closest shopping centre?
- Do you have easily accessible medical facilities around?
- Are there any local childcare centres?
Before you apply for a property, we always recommend checking out the suburbs during different times of the day (and week), to get a good feel for it.
For a no-obligation discussion, please call Susan Tan at 0413 868 333 or leave us your contact details.