In Champaign County, finding the ideal home can be like Goldilocks and the Three Bears – this one’s too small, this one’s too big, but this one is just right. But how do you really make sure that the home you buy is the right size? Here are a few ways to figure it out.
Usable Space vs Square Footage
You may have 3,000 square feet in mind as your ideal space. But how you use that space is much more important than how much space you get. It may turn out that 3,000 square feet is too expensive. But if not, what about the layout? Are there lots of unusable rooms? Maybe too many bedrooms are taking up too much living space? You no doubt don’t want to clean extra rooms you don’t use.
You may discover that the 1,800-square-foot new build is planned far better than the 2,600-square-foot older home and that the open design and efficient use of space makes the house feel even larger.
Then again…
Plan for the Future
Did you just get married? You might think a starter home with just a couple of bedrooms is all you need. But if you plan on having kids soon, it might be beneficial to find a house that’s ready for them now, rather than thinking that you can upgrade in a couple of years.
There are established families with multiple children who believe that a three-bedroom house is enough. However, if you’re expecting grandparents to move in or for an older child who wants to return home, there’s a chance that you’ll need a fourth bedroom.
What Do You Really Want?
It’s time to ask yourself a few hard questions. Do you ever need some alone time? Do you like to read a book and want a private place to shut the door? Are you in need of a man cave or a home theater?
What about a dedicated home office or a guest room? Determining what features you want to have will help you decide what size house to get. After that, everything is a question of whether you can afford it.
How much money is too much?
It’s natural to want more than you can get. But can you afford it? Before you jump into a larger home or larger payment, think hard about what you can afford comfortably. You don’t want to bite off more than you can chew.
Consider the state of the world
“For the past several years, the trend among many luxury homebuyers in the U.S. has been clear: bigger isn’t necessarily better,” said Realtor.com. “As with so many other aspects of day-to-day life, the coronavirus pandemic has turned all that on its head. Preferences vary by price range and region, but buyers in every market are eyeing extra space. Versions of this trend are playing out in markets all over the U.S., making it an opportune moment for sellers looking to unload extra acreage, and a time for interested buyers to move quickly.”
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