One of the first things you need to think about when buying a home in Arizona is making sure that the options you consider meet your family’s needs. Think of the size of your family and the age of the members. This will help narrow down your search to only the homes that suit you.
If you have kids (or if you’re planning on having children), you need to look for certain features in a property. It’s about more than just the actual house, number of rooms, etc. You also need to look beyond the property itself when you’re weighing your choices.
Check out our list of the things in and out of a house that you need to think about when home buying:
What Should Be in the Home
The house should have enough rooms for all family members. You need to have at least two bedrooms if you have a child. Two or more kids can share bedrooms, too, if you’re not ready to purchase a bigger house yet. But, it would be ideal to invest in a home where each of your kids get to have their own space. The floor plan has to suit your lifestyle and preferences, too.
The home should have ample space to store your belongings as well. When you have kids, you typically have more (and possibly bulky) possessions, such as nursery or playroom items for young children. Then there are the living spaces like the living and dining rooms as well as outdoor areas — these should be big enough to accommodate the whole family.
It would be best if the house also has spare rooms or areas that you can use as work-from-home and home-schooling or distance learning set-ups. The COVID-19 pandemic brought shelter-in-place restrictions and we can’t really say when things will get back to normal or whether or not something like this will happen again in the future. So, it’s best to be prepared.
Other considerations include overall comfort and home safety features. For instance, check if the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are working properly. Also check if the house needs repairs.
What Should Be in the Neighborhood
Among the top things to assess are the safety of the neighborhood and your access to services. Is the house in a good school district? Are there reliable daycare options in the area? Are you near grocery stores and recreational activity spots? These are just a few of the things to think about.
What Should Be in the State
Factor in state and local taxes as well as the overall cost of living before finalizing your decision.
Is it your first time to buy a property? You might need assistance on funding your down payment or closing costs. Explore home buying programs in Arizona, such as the Home Plus assistance by the ADOH. Or, check out national programs like those of the FHA and USDA. These programs typically have qualifications related to credit score and income. Some of them also have restrictions on the price of the house you can buy.
If you’re searching for an expert real estate agent in Arizona, connect with our team at Aeris House Properties. Our realtors can answer your queries about buying a home in the Metro Phoenix area as well as any questions you might have about living here. Email us at info(at)aerishouse(dotted)com or call 602.466.9771 to start searching for your dream home today.