Outgrowing Your Home? Here’s What to Look For in a New Home

If you have found your home to be growing a little snug, perhaps it is time to go hunting for a new and larger home that better suits your needs. Many people happily call Lakewood home. If you are going to join them and look for Lakewood homes for sale, it is a good idea to know what you want to look for in your new house. The good news is you can use your current residence to determine what features you want in your new home. Think about what features you like and dislike in your current house and how you can improve in your new property. There are also some general attributes to look for when upsizing. Below is a list of what you could look for during your home search.

While not a physical attribute, larger houses can be more expensive both in the listing price and mortgage rates, and you should not let yourself be taken by surprise. Make sure the houses you look at are within your price range with a comfortable mortgage. Also, expect to negotiate with the seller if the market is competitive.

Many people who want to upsize look at the house’s square footage, but looking at its floor plan is often more useful. Consider the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and if you want a game room or bonus room. You may want an open floor plan and the ability to see the living room from the kitchen. The layout of the house is an important part of its functionality.

For a lot of buyers, the reason they wish to upsize is because of growing children or the desire to have kids. If that is the case for you, make sure you have enough bedrooms for your children. It is also a good idea to plan for the future. Consider your short-term needs for the house, but also do not ignore your long-term needs. Make sure the house will remain practical later.

When buying a house at any time, including when upsizing, buyers should look at the property's amenities. From the flooring and the roof to the lighting fixtures and the kitchen appliances, amenities can make a house convenient or stressful. However, amenities are something that can easily be added later, so when you are deciding on your new house, you should focus on expensive features that would be difficult to add. Things like basements, decks, and garages require full renovations, while a difficult dishwasher can simply be replaced.

If you are upsizing, you may have more than one car. Perhaps you have kids who have a car as well, or maybe you are expecting to have a lot of company. It is often important for people looking to buy a larger house to look at the parking situation. Does the property have a two or three-car garage, or does it have a large driveway with room for a vehicle? Is the street convenient for parking? Make sure you know what you need and that the house delivers.

One reason to upsize is the need for more storage. However, it can be easy to assume more square footage automatically comes with greater storage space, and this is not necessarily the case. Ensure the houses you look at have adequate cupboards, drawers, closets, and other storage opportunities.

Many people who are upsizing look for houses with big yards. Families with kids especially can find uses for a yard, but even if you do not have kids, a yard can add value to the house, provide privacy from the neighbors, and give you more space to use. Seeing as you cannot add more yard space later if you want some, it is a good idea to know if you want a yard and look for houses that provide it.

Another thing that cannot be changed after the purchase is the neighborhood, amenities, and community around the property. Larger houses with more land are often found in the suburbs some distance from bigger cities, and these are the places people who are upsizing often explore. It is usually a good idea to spend some time in the area of the houses you visit. Drive through your potential neighborhoods, visit nearby stores, and experience local restaurants. It will give you a good feel for the area and let you know if you want to make it a home.

If you have kids or are planning to have kids, the nearby schools are going to be a big consideration. Research or visit the schools near the houses you are looking at, and see if they are highly rated and of good quality. Explore the private schools as well, and check if the school district has good reviews. If you are homeschooling or planning to, you can look for local homeschool groups and see if they fit with your family.

Approximately one in five people move into an HOA-run neighborhood, so there is a good chance you will as well. Most people do not consider researching the local homeowners association when looking at houses, but it is always a good idea, as the HOA can make the quality of life either unbearable or ideal.

Look at the neighborhood HOA to make sure they do not have expensive fees or unrealistic expectations. Some specific things you should look at are the amenities, like playgrounds or pools, the financial management, and the rules and regulations, which can range from how you can decorate your home to what renovations you can make. Before buying a house, you should make sure the HOA is something you can live with.

If you are looking to buy a bigger house, the first step is to connect with a Lakewood realtor. The B.A.R. Group are top-quality, talented professionals eager to help you purchase your new home. Composed of top real estate agents, entrepreneurs, negotiators, and brokers, there is always an expert to help you. Dedicated to putting the client first and making their dreams a reality, they are driven to serve the community, industry, and their clients. Contact the B.A.R. Group today to learn about Lakewood homes listed for sale on the market.