When it comes to choosing the type of home you want to buy, there are a lot of things that are more important than whether you want blue shutters or white shutters, or if there is a wrap-around porch attached to the back of the house or not. Of course, these types of features help to sway you one way or another, but for most homebuyers, these aren’t make-or-break attributes. In reality, one of the most important things to consider when purchasing a new home, aside from price, is the size.
So how to you decide on the right amount of space for you and your family? Here are a few things to ask yourself:
Can you afford the upkeep of a large home?
The more square-footage you have, the more expensive it is going to be to maintain the property. Not only will you have to factor in the costs for things like installing new carpet or tiling, and the amount of paint it will take to cover the walls, but you’ll also have to think about life after the initial move-in. Costs for heating/cooling a larger home will be higher, there will be more yard space to tend to, etc.
Do you have enough furniture to accommodate a larger home?
Having more space to work with means having to find enough furniture to fill that space. Will you be able to make do with what you have, or will you need to purchase more furniture? If you do need to make new purchases, can you afford it? Plus, you’ll also have to keep in mind that the small loveseat that served as a sofa in your apartment may not cut it in a potential home’s much larger living room.
What will your needs be in the long run?
If you’re planning to live in this home for an extended period of time, you’re going to want to stop and really think about what you want in the future. Are you hoping to expand your family? If you already have children, will they be going off to college soon? The number of people who will be sharing the space with you will have a huge effect on which size home is best for you.
After adding up all of the factors, be sure to share your thoughts and preferences with your real estate agent. The more information you give on what you’re looking for, the easier it will be for your agent to find homes that fit your needs, without wasting any of your time on the ones that don’t.