Investing in a Bigger Home

As your family grows, you may find your home is getting a little bit too small to house everyone under one roof. If it’s any consolation, you have plenty of company. An estimated 19 percent of the U.S. population lives with multiple generations under one roof. Whether your home is already feeling a bit more cramped than comfortable, or you’re planning to expand your family, the time to invest in a larger home is approaching fast.

But the question is, what do you look for in a home when you’re upsizing? There’s definitely more to consider than simply more square footage. So, before you make the move for good, you may want to do some research and take these tips about upsizing into consideration.

Things to Keep in Mind when Upsizing

Start by thinking critically about your goals. Needing more space is an obvious necessity but have you thought about why you need it. For instance, what areas of the home are looking to add square footage to? Listing your goals for your new home will help you prioritize and accommodate your family members appropriately. Knowing what kind of space you need and where you need it will help you find a home that perfectly fits.

In deciding what you need, determine whether bigger is truly better. The number of total square footage may be bigger, but if that number doesn’t extend to the areas you need it then it’s not truly benefiting you. Sometimes the more bedrooms a home has, the smaller the rooms are. This is where knowing the type of layout you’re looking for makes a huge difference in your house hunt.

Another major factor to consider before you upsize is the financial burden of owning a larger home. There’s more than the sticker price on the house to consider. The long-term costs associated with a larger house, including higher property taxes, utilities and additional maintenance can add up when not properly accounted for.

Making the Move

At the end of your planning, don’t forget the number one rule of house hunting: it’s all about the neighborhood. More space might mean buying in a different neighborhood, which means researching the ingredients of a great neighborhood and make sure that both the size of the home and the community it’s in align.

If you’re looking for a real estate agent in Orange County to help you find your new home or sell your current one, I can help. With more than 18 years of experience in successful sales, and keen negotiating skills, I can help you sell for the best price or buy within your budget. Call me at 949-285-3215 to get started.