What Should First-time Expecting Parents Look for in Their First Home

Buying your first home is one of the most exciting journeys you can take with your partner. As first-time expecting parents, you are just getting ready to start your life together as a family, and there is a long list of things to consider.

Knowing what to look for is crucial for finding a home that will accommodate your growing family. To help you get started, we’re listing five things parents-to-be should look for in their first home.

Great location and neighborhood

As first-time expecting parents and homebuyers, you want to pay close attention to the location of your first home. The location and neighborhood where your new home is situated will play a vital role in your little one’s childhood. A neighborhood that is safe and quiet represents the perfect place to raise your children safely. Instead of simply taking your realtor’s word that the house you’re looking at is your best option, see for yourself.

Drive around the neighborhood during different times of the day, and do some research on your own. Check out the crime rates as well as neighborhood demographics, and make sure to look for local school ratings, family-friendly amenities, and proximity to important facilities such as pharmacy, hospital, parks, and grocery stores.

Your ideal home features

We all have an idea of what our ideal home should look like. Some are dreaming about raising their family in a modern farm house with large windows and a convenient floor plan. Others may be envisioning themselves living in a two-story Colonial home, ranch-style house, or a Victorian home.

Whatever your style preferences are, make sure to factor them in when looking at houses. Make a list of wants, needs, and nice-to-haves, and talk to your partner about your priorities, negotiables, and deal-breakers. You may not agree on every single detail, but you should do your best to meet in the middle. Buying your first home should be fun and exciting, so work together, compromise, and think like a team.

The right home size

Other than ticking all the right boxes when it comes to design, your new home should also fit your needs. For starters, you’ll need to figure out the exact home size you need to ensure enough privacy and space for each of your family members. Think about the square footage and decide on the number of rooms you’ll need, and consider your future plans, too. If you plan on having more kids, look for homes that have spare rooms just in case you need them.

Other than the size, you’ll also need to consider the layout of your new home. A home where the rooms are placed properly will help your family function more easily on a daily basis. New parents should also look into homes with an open-concept main floor as they can be particularly practical for families.

Kid-friendly features

How child-friendly your new home is can also make or break a deal. When looking at different houses, try to imagine your family living there and see how it fits your lifestyle.

Are the features and furniture kid-friendly (rounded edges, darker hues, easy-to-clean materials, etc.)? Is there enough storage for keeping all the toys, seasonal clothes, car seats, and strollers? Is the laundry room in the basement or near your child’s room (washers and dryers can get pretty noisy)? Are there any hazards around the house that need to be child-proofed (e.g. open staircases and swimming pools)? All these things need to be kept in mind when searching for that perfect family home.

A safe and healthy home

Making sure that your new family home is safe goes beyond baby-proofing your new home and looking for kid-friendly features. Your home should be the one place where you’re able to feel safe. That said, there may be some hidden dangers lurking in there that could potentially pose a health hazard.

This can be anything from mold to volatile organic compounds to lead-based paint (which is commonly found in older homes). All of these are harmful to our health, but they’re especially dangerous for babies. Their respiratory system is still developing, so avoiding exposure to harmful toxins is especially important.

Wrapping up

From the number of rooms you’ll need to the style of your future home to the location and neighborhood, there are a lot of things to factor in when purchasing a house for the first time. Keep these tips in mind as you search for your ideal family home, and you’ll manage to make smart choices and find the perfect home where you’ll welcome your newborn baby.

About The Author: Carrie Davis is an American based writer and blogger. She is very passionate about family and parenting. Carrie writes mostly lifestyle articles, but also you’ll find her in home improvement and other niches.

Photo by Gabriel Tovar on Unsplash