What are growing families looking for in a new house? That question stirs up a lot of ideas and emotions. So we ask, listen and learn. What many growing families come to realize is that they may not need more space, but a better floor plan. The “nice to look at” grand foyer, formal living and dining rooms are considered a waste of space for many of these families. They want functional space that supports who they are as a family.
The following home-buying tips come from growing families who are looking for or recently purchased a new home. These are the most often requested and/or desired features. So if your family is growing, look for the following amenities:
– An open, flexible floor plan that can be configured to suit your changing needs.
– Easily accessible laundry room for everyone in the family.
– A mudroom for shoes, jackets, boots and book bags.
– An office, study, computer area for paying bills or doing homework.
– At least 2.5 bathrooms, with one close to the backdoor.
– Appropriately sized kitchen with enough cabinets and counter space.
– New kitchen appliances that make cooking meals easy.
– A pantry to keep canned goods, bulk groceries and paper towels.
– Finished walkout basement for playroom, hangout for teens, solitude for adults.
– Big closets in the entry way and bedrooms.
– Extra bedroom for guests.
– Energy efficient cooling & heating.
– Garage that fits two cars plus storage area for bikes, lawn mower, tools.
– Attic space to store seldom used, but important stuff like holiday decorations.
At Newport Cove, a planned community on the shores of Bluff Lake in northwest suburban Chicago, we make the wish lists of growing families happen. We are ready to build with your specific needs in mind.