Article by: Les O'Dell 
Featured expertise by: Jason Gelios

Guest Writer: Sally Norton

Image courtesy of Unsplash

So, you decided to purchase a new primary residence. Finally, a nest that will serve you well for raising your little ones. There are many things to look for when buying a family home. After deciding on the right size for your home, you'll need to balance each member's individual needs. It is not the easiest thing to do, but it's not impossible if you have some guidance, which we aim to provide.
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First, find a good layout
The arrangement of the rooms in a house is one of the most critical considerations in determining whether or not it is appropriate for children to live there. Your rambunctious toddler will be easier to supervise in an open-concept living space, making it less likely that they will be able to hide in a corner or cranny that is out of your line of sight. It would be best if you also took notice of the distance that separates each of the bedrooms. Parents with a small kid who will wake up numerous times during the night may find it not ideal that the location of the master bedroom is far away from the other rooms in the house.

Image Courtesy Of Unsplash

​Storage space is the second thing to look for when buying a family home
When you are contemplating having children, one thing that people don't usually tell you is how many things you will need to buy for them. Toys, clothing, books, and even more toys pile up, particularly during the holidays and birthdays. For soon-to-be parents, the ideal home will either have sufficient storage space already installed or enough room for them to construct their storage solutions. Are there spacious closets in each of the bedrooms? Make sure that at least the closet is large enough to accommodate all of them:

• towels
• blankets
• sheets
• all the other items that you will have to cram into it

Check for outdoor space
Does the house you're thinking about buying have a safe backyard where your children can run about and play? When your tiny one can walk (or even more terrifyingly, run!), a modest deck or paved courtyard may not be enough space for them to explore their environment safely. If your home doesn't have a backyard, does it at least have a front yard? If so, does it have a fence around it to keep young children from wandering into the road?

Keep your little one in sight
If the property offers an area to play outdoors, make sure you can see it from inside the house. This can be useful once your children have reached the age when they can go outdoors and play by themselves but still need supervision.
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Indoors - watch out for the stairs
Is there a significant number of steps in the home? If that's the case, they may be a cause for worry in terms of safety, particularly if you have children that have the explorer's spirit of a little Columbus. Moreover, the repair and remodeling of unsafe stairs can be one of the hidden costs when buying a home. Although you can always put safety gates in the areas that need them, it is something to consider since it is not a deal-breaker itself.

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​An inadequate kitchen means potential danger
Children like getting their little fingers in your cooking, particularly if there is a possibility that they may lick the icing off the beaters after it is all done. But kids and kitchens mean potential hazards. Therefore, kid-proofing the kitchen space is crucial. It can mean a simple and budget-friendly upgrade, such as replacing the hardware and adding child locks. Also, a growing family will not do very well in a kitchen that is on the smaller side and has limited space for both access and storage.

What should you look for?
You should look for a kitchen that has a sufficient amount of storage space. Also, give preference to one that is an integral part of an open-plan living area. This will allow you to keep an eye on your children even if they are in the living room while you prepare meals. In an ideal situation, you'll come across a kitchen with these characteristics and the ability to be gated off to keep tiny curious fingers away from hot burners and sharp knives.
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Investigate the neighborhood
When searching for a new home, this is the question that every family asks (or ought to ask): "How near are the schools (and kindergartens, daycare facilities, etc.) to the property?" Then, how close do you want your house to be to your job? The quality of the schools themselves is just as crucial as their locations. It is only reasonable for parents to be worried about the quality of education provided by the schools in their community. If you want to have a good sense of the educational opportunities available in your neighborhood, you should chat with residents there and look at the information on government websites. 

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​After everything is done – look for the right movers
Once you’ve found everything you were looking for in a house, it’s time to move. This is also an important part of buying a new family home. You’ll want to cooperate with professionals that will provide safe and simple transfer of your family. It’s a good idea to contact reliable residential movers as soon as you decide on buying your perfect new home since last minute arrangements may leave you with some less reliable companies.
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Bottom line
There are many things to look for when buying a family home. It's not an easy task. But, once you go through every point in your checklist, you'll be sure that the chosen property is the right one. Then, you'll be ready to start a new and exciting life with your family.

I am excited to share with you the official book trailer for my new book 'Beating The Force Of Average'. 

Launching in October 2022, I will share tips from overcoming fear, changing your mindset, overcoming self doubt and other tips that you can use to create a life you truly want to live. 

An article by Erik J. Martin | The Mortgage Reports
Featured Expertise by Jason Gelios-Realtor

An Author interview with BillionSuccess.com

Episode 225 AskJasonGelios Real Estate Show

Erik J. Martin | The Mortgage Reports Contributor | 7 min. read
Featured Expertise By Jason Gelios

It’s possible to refinance a second mortgage. However, these loans are considered higher-risk because they’re a second lien after your first mortgage. And that means they carry higher interest rates.
Because of this, many homeowners looking to refinance a second mortgage end up rolling their home equity loan or HELOC into their first mortgage via a cash-out refinance. This could potentially lower the interest rate and eliminate a second monthly payment.
Are you looking to refinance a second mortgage? Learn about refi options and interest rates to see what will work best in your situation.

The official teaser trailer for my second book. This is my passion project to help others create a life that they truly want to live. 

A personal interview with Savio P. Clemente of The Human Resolve for Authority Magazine. 

The latest rant about home owners who filed a lawsuit towards HGTV and the Property Brothers over an alleged unsatisfactory kitchen renovation. 

Click the image to catch this episode of the AskJasonGelios Real Estate show.

Erik J. Martin | The Mortgage Reports Contributor | 8 min. read
​Featured expertise by Jason Gelios

Mortgage rates are rising, but you can lower yours

Mortgage interest rates have been rising throughout 2022. That’s bad news for home buyers, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the line. There’s a lot you can do to fight rising interest rates and get a better deal on your mortgage loan.
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Here are the best strategies to beat the market and secure a lower rate for your new home loan.

Erik J. Martin | The Mortgage Reports Contributor
​Featured expertise by Jason Gelios

Home prices continue to climb. And interest rates have gone up as well, increasing the cost of homeownership from month to month. Unsurprisingly, many home buyers are left wondering: Is buying a house still worth it in 2022?
The short answer is yes. If you’re financially ready, buying a house is still worth it — even in the current market. Experts largely agree that buying and owning a home remains a smarter financial move than renting for many.
If you’re on the fence about a home purchase in 2022, here’s what you should consider.

Benefits of buying a house in 2022
Despite the financial challenges of the current market, there are plenty of reasons why buying a home is still worth it in 2022.

1. Rising prices lead to increased equity
One of the chief benefits of owning a home is that over time, increased home equity can add to your net worth and give you a low-cost source of cash as needed. The ability to build equity is what sets homeownership apart from renting, which has no return on investment.