Are you considering buying a new home now that you are planning on having children? When you are going to buy a new home, there are numerous things to consider when starting a family. One must take into account various factors including child safety, community and comfort. Buying a home at any stage in life is a major responsibility and if you are thinking of adding a few kids to the mix, then you might want to consider some of these "baby friendly" home-buying tips.
Don’t Compromise on Your Home’s Safety
Of course you will put safety measures into place to protect your baby, but what about the safety of the environment you are going to be living in? For example, it is probably not advisable to choose a home with a pool until your babies are grown up. Pools can lead to unfortunate drowning events when toddlers are nearby. Look at the grounds you will be living on and take into account what is safe, and what might be dangerous once your baby begins crawling around. Is there a sharp fence surrounding the home? Does the backyard lead to a river or forest? It is a good idea to choose a home with a solid wooden fence already in place.
Another example would be stairs. Do you want to live in a multi-level home with winding staircases? This might not be a good option, as your little one might tumble down those stairs. There are safety measures you can put in place such as a baby fence or screen, but there are definitely stair cases that are easier to block than others. If you're looking at a split level home, do you want to have 4 or six sets of baby gates in the house - don't forget, you need a gate at the top and bottom of each set of stairs. Of course, there is always the chance of a nimble little climber getting over a gate once they grow a bit older and gain strength. It is best to think about the layout of the home. One level is good and maybe two levels will be helpful for privacy, but numerous levels may prove dangerous and exhausting for you as you run around with bottles, diapers and baby toys.
What Is The Surrounding Community Like?
It’s also important, when selecting a home, to choose a baby-friendly community. Are there nearby shops or a community centre? Can you get to transit options with ease? Are you close to any daycare facilities or schools? Your neighbourhood will be very important to you when you are raising a baby, toddler or child. You will want to be close to resources and friendly people that can offer help when you need it. When you’re out shopping for your new baby-friendly home, ask your real estate agent about the neighbourhood, the type of people that live in it, and what community resources are available to families.
How Comfortable Is Your Home?
When you are looking at homes, you will want to consider the comfort level. Does the home have carpet in place, or are the floors rock solid and somewhat cold? Does the home have a lot of windows that can contribute to drafts on cold days, or is the home more closed off, cozy and private? Walk through each home and imagine your cute bundle of joy crawling across the floors. Will they find it comfortable? If you've never had kids before, picturing life a baby can be tough, a real estate agent that is a parent themselves can help point out issues and baby-friendly features.
Finding a home that is perfect for a new baby won't be an easy task, but there are many ideal family homes out there that are just waiting for a loving family to move in. As long as you consider safety, comfort and the community every time you view a home, you should be able to find what you are looking for. For more helpful tips on what else to look out for when buying a new home with a baby in mind, subscribe to our blog for great home buying advice - or contact us and let us help you find the ideal home for you and your child.
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