How to Include Your Kids in Finding Your Next Home

August 16, 2022


Looking for the right home with your children can add another layer of complexity to your search. But including the whole family can help you consider how the home will suit you and your kids now and in the future.

Family walking around a neighborhood

Before you begin touring homes, here are a few tips for parents to consider.

Involve Your Kids

If you plan on bringing your kids with you to look at houses, give them a specific role at each stop. However simple, it will give them a sense of ownership.

Allowing your children to feel involved in the process is a great way to get them excited about moving.

Walk Around the Block

Show your children the new community. Ensure your house search involves discussions about local parks, schools and extracurricular activity centers. Exploring will give you a chance to assess the walkability of the community. Sidewalks and cul-de-sacs provide a critical buffer between kids at play and cars.

Take note of parking both in your neighborhood and local town centers. Accessible parking is a lifesaver while navigating errands multiple kids and car seats.

Check Out the Outdoor Spaces

Having a safe outdoor space for your kids to play in can give you peace of mind. Purchasing a home also gives you freedom to transform that space.

Do your kids want a swing set, a treehouse, or a soccer goal? If there is not much space on your property, consider how far local playgrounds and fields are.

Consider the Floor Plan

An open floor plan allows for more supervision but also makes it more difficult to childproof your home.

Also, note the placement of bedrooms. Having a toddler down the hall is ideal for late-night wake-up calls, but, on the other hand, having a flight of stairs between you and your teens may offer a welcome privacy barrier.

Finally, consider if your children will be able to share a bathroom or if they need their own.

For more information about buying a home, including making a homebuying wish list, the steps to prepare for house hunting and finding the right home, visit My Home by Freddie Mac®.