When you’re buying or building a new house, there are a lot of things to consider. One major aspect is determining just how much house you’ll need. As a company that’s been building new homes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 50 years, Segal & Morel has helped thousands of people find the single-family home of their dreams. These tips can help you choose a house that’s the right size for your specific needs, budget, and lifestyle.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Size of Your New Home
Here are some important factors to think about:
Your Budget and Finances
There’s no way around it – a larger home simply costs more, which means you’ll have a higher mortgage payment as well. Not only that, the larger the house, the higher the utility and maintenance costs will be. However, buying a green, EnergyStar® certified home can help you save up to 30% on monthly utility costs and lessen your impact on the environment.
The Size of Your Family
Thinking about the size of your family and future goals can help you pick a home that provides the right amount of room. If you plan to expand your family, make sure to account for that by purchasing or building a new home with an adequate number of bedrooms. Another thing to consider is whether you’ll have elderly parents or adult children living with you down the road. Conversely, if you currently have teenagers who are moving out in a few years, you may want to consider downsizing to a smaller empty nest home.
Floor Plans
The layout of your home also can help you determine how big it needs to be. Homes that are similar in size can be set up very differently. For example, one 3,000-square-foot home may have large bedrooms upstairs, while another features a roomy master suite downstairs. In this case, a growing family may choose a floor plan with the master suite and big bedrooms upstairs, while a couple looking for an empty nest home may select a house with a large bedroom and bathroom on the first floor.
Think about which rooms you’ll use the most and your personal preferences for how they’ll function. Do you love to cook and dream of a gourmet kitchen? Maybe you’ll want a floor plan that offers lots of space in the kitchen for cooking and entertaining. It’s all about your specific needs and preferences, so you’ll want to look at a variety of floor plans and narrow it down from there. Riverview Estates West offers a multitude of floor plans that can be customized to your liking.
Age and Physical Ability
An important thing to think about is how you’ll move around in your new home. If you’re older or someone in your family has a disability, you may want to opt for a first-floor bedroom suite and open floor plan. This can make it easier to navigate your home and you won’t have to deal with running up and down the stairs to get to your bedroom.
Visitors and Entertaining
If you frequently have visitors who stay overnight, having a dedicated space for them can make life easier and more pleasant. Whether it’s an extra bedroom upstairs, a room on the first floor, or a finished basement, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of space for visitors.
Those who enjoy large gatherings with family and friends should also consider how they want to use the space inside and outside of the home. Would you prefer a large family room or a great room that’s open to the kitchen so you can chat with guests while you’re cooking and they’re watching the game? Outdoor spaces can also function like extra rooms, so if you’re big on grilling and spending time outside, you may want to consider a patio or deck where everyone can hang out comfortably.
Storage Space
It’s important to consider how much storage space you’ll need when choosing a new home. Moving is the perfect time to get rid of things and downsize, but if you have small children that may not be a viable option. If you’re close to retirement and plan to downsize, make sure you consider this when searching for a house. Take measurements of storage spaces in your current home and compare them as you check out new homes. Some other things to think about are whether you’d like an attic for storage and how many cars you plan to park in your garage.
Talk to Realtors and Builders
If you’re using a real estate agent for your home search, let them know your must-haves and wishes for how you want to use the space in your home. Building a new home provides more options for floor plans and design, but if you’re unsure about how much space you’ll need, ask questions and share your concerns with your builders and designers. Together, you can come up with solutions that help you create a functional, comfortable home you’ll love.
Contact Segal & Morel to Learn More
Segal & Morel has been constructing new homes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey built on a foundation of quality materials and exceptional craftsmanship for more than five decades. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about floor plans, design, and the size of your new home. Contact us online or call our office in Easton, PA, at 610-923-8422 to learn more.
