Got Kids? Things to Consider When Buying a House

House hunting with kids? You’ll need to find a home that can accommodate your family’s changing needs. Here are a few tips for choosing a house when you have small children.

1. Classes

   How’s the school district in your area? What’s the student to teacher ratio? How well do the students perform in math, science, and reading comprehension compared to the rest of the United States?

   Children must receive a strong foundation in education and choosing a good school district can help your child reach their full potential.

   But even if your kids are homeschooled, if they play sports or take ballet and painting classes, for instance, you’ll need to find a home that provides access to these centers.

2. Recreation

   Choosing a property close to parks, playgrounds, and community centers will make it easier for you to take the kids out and play. Having access to amenities like malls, shops, restaurants, and cinemas can also help the kids from getting too bored at home.

3. Space

   It’s not enough for the kids to have their own rooms – they need space to roam, too. That’s why it helps to choose a property that has a patio and plenty of outdoor space. This gives them enough space to move, play, and burn off some energy on those days when you can’t take them to the park.

4. Safety

   It goes without saying that safety should be a main driver of your home buying decision. If you have small kids, it’s ideal to find a home that’s located far from the main roads.

   Moreover, your street or neighborhood shouldn’t get too much traffic so that the kids can play outside without fear of getting into accidents.

   Crime is another issue – what is the incident of petty crime in the area? The New Jersey State Police publishes quarterly crime reports on their site to keep residents and potential homebuyers informed.

   SafeWise also reports that NJ has relatively low crime rates and the majority of residents less concerned about safety on a daily basis as a result.

   Living in a gated community might give you more peace of mind. Guarded access points mean that only residents and their guests may enter the community, resulting in less traffic and an added layer of security.

   But there’s more to your child’s safety than crime incidence. The property must also come with a wide range of safety features to minimize the likelihood of accidents inside the home. Aside from the usual locks and alarms, your home should ideally have covered electric sockets, carpeted stairs, and fenced yards and pools.

5. Storage

   Where will you put all those toys? As you acquire clothes, games, and toys for your children, you’ll need sufficient storage space to keep all that clutter out of sight. Consider choosing a property with plenty of built-in storage or one that has provisions for renovations and DIY storage.

Ready to explore NJ’s housing market? Get in touch with Pagnotta Homes here. You can also reach the Pagnotta Homes Team at 908.436.7947 and Info(at)PagnottaHomes(dotted)com. We specialize in residential properties in Basking Ridge, Bridgewater, and other nearby communities.