House hunting is a fun and exciting process – but it also takes serious thought and consideration. There is a lot to think about, and adding kids to the mix forces you to see things from a different point of view.

Whether you already have a family or are planning to start one in the future, there are a few additional considerations when searching for your perfect place. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to ensure you choose the right home for you and your loved ones.

"What school district do we want to be in?"

Don't make the mistake of thinking you'll be able to talk your way into a school that's out of your district. It's a lot harder than one may think and will just be something else to worry about later down the road.

Before you even begin your search, decide what school district you want to be in, and stick with homes in that area.

Say you don't have a family yet but are hoping for one in the future. You might be wondering where to even start when choosing a school district. Here are a few things to look for.

- Upkeep of facilities

- Awards and recognition

- Extracurricular activities offered

- Class size

- Rate of students attending higher education

- Community reputation

Most of these things can even be found through a simple Google search.  

"What is the crime rate in this area?"

As parents, we always want to do whatever we can to protect our kids. Taking an extra second to check on the crime rate in the area is well worth it – and we mean it when we say it only takes a second!

Here are a few simple tools you can use to research the safety of your area.

1) AreaVibes: Provides a liveability score of your zip code.

2) CrimeReports: Provides up to date crime-reports in your area.

3) NextDoor: Allows you to connect with your neighbors.

4) Family WatchDog: Locates sexual offenders in your area.

"What is there to do around here?"

When choosing an area to live, you want to be mindful of its proximity to amenities within the community. For example – do your kids play sports? How close is the ballfield or court? Is it a quick drive, or are you okay with traveling a bit to get there?

How close is your grocery store of choice?

If a spacious backyard isn't a big deal, will you want a park nearby for the kids to play outside?

Figure out what activities are most important for your thriving family and how close you prefer them to be to your home.

"Does this floor plan make sense for us?"

What you need from a floor plan as a single person or couple differs greatly from what you may need from one as a family. If you have younger kids/babies, you may want a bedroom(s) near the master – or on the main floor to avoid going up and down the stairs.

If the kids are a little older, you may want their rooms on the same floor so that they can be close to each other...{or not}!

You know your family dynamic and what you need from a floor plan. Be picky about it, and don't compromise on what makes sense for you!

"Are there any safety issues?"

By "safety issues," we don't necessarily mean things that are addressed in the inspection. We're talking about things that are based again on your unique family dynamic. For example, families with small children want to look at the "baby proof-ability" of the home. {If there are large staircases or railings overlooking the lower level of the home, are you going to be able to fit a gate?}

And remember – there are equal things to look for outside as there are inside! If a home is close to a body of water, like a pool, lake, creek, etc., is there a way to block children from getting out there on their own?

One last tip – Include your kids in the process!

After you've taken the time to consider everything above, if there's a house that's checked all the boxes, bring your kids along for a tour!

Making them feel included in the decision-making process goes a long way. They might even be able to point out something you've missed! Better yet – if they love the place just as much as you do, it'll be even more exciting when you make an offer!

The Masiello Group is a second-generation family company that has been a trailblazer in New England real estate since 1966. With now more than 35 offices throughout northern New England, we're the largest residential real estate firm north of Boston to offer a complete suite of home services, including buying, selling, mortgage, title, insurance, relocation, and more.

Our agents are eager and excited to meet your real estate needs!

You can find more information on today's market and other real estate trends by reading our blog weekly at https://www.masiello.com/news-and-updates/.