How To Decide On The Right House Size

Guest Writer: Sally Norton

​Finding the ideal house for your needs is more challenging than you think. It might make you feel overwhelmed since there are so many aspects to consider. In addition, when you buy a house, you make a long-term commitment. As a result, double-checking that it is the right one puts even more pressure on your shoulders. There are, however, several methods for determining what would be the best option when buying a home. So, let us see how you can decide on the right house size and be sure of your decision.

Take a look at your needs
One thing that can help you decide what would be the right size for your future home is to look at your needs. For example, if you are happy with the amount of space you have currently, the solution is simple. Don't change the size. But, if you see that you could use a bit more space in the kitchen or have a separate laundry room, you need more space. On the other hand, if you have a guest room that's always empty or a dining room where nobody ever goes to eat, maybe it's time to downsize.

Knowing your family's needs can help you decide on the right house size. 

​Therefore, one easy way to decide on the right house size is to look at your needs and ask yourself some questions. How many bedrooms do you need, or how many kids do you intend to have? Is a garage required, or could your family benefit from extra outdoor space? You can add as many questions as you need to help you decide easily. The answers to all these questions will determine how big or small your new home should be.

Take a look at your finances
Your budget can determine not how much space you need but how much you can afford. Therefore, pay attention to your wallet and make decisions that won't affect your lifestyle too drastically. For example, do not blindly buy a bigger house because you believe it will be better. Besides the upfront cost of buying, you need to also think about the cost of maintenance. A bigger house requires more upkeep and utility expenditures, not to mention furnishing costs. So, you should be sure that you can afford all the monthly bills before you decide on a house of a bigger size. After all, you wouldn't want to find yourself in the situation of selling your new home too fast. That can result in more financial losses because if you are desperate to sell fast, you might also sell for a lower price.

Think of the future to decide on the right house size
As we already mentioned, buying a house is a long-term commitment. So, you need to make a plan for the next five to ten years. For instance, young couples should think about how many kids they would like to have. Singles pursuing a career should consider the prospect of relocating for work. And the elderly should keep in mind the accessibility of their home in case of health issues. As a result, if you make a long-term plan, it will be easier to decide on the right house size. If you and your partner won't have kids, you won't need many bedrooms. One for you and one for guests can suffice. And if you need a home for when you retire, you might not want a second floor. Going up and down the stairs to get to the bathroom or bedroom can become quite tiresome and dangerous for the elderly.  

If you are planning to start a family now or in the future, make sure you choose
the house size based on the number of children you want to have.

​Be practical and realistic
You had a home theater or a separate hobby room, and now it's hard to give up on them? Well, it's time to be practical and realistic and admit that maybe those rooms are not so important in your life. After all, if you mostly go out with your friends for a movie, and you never have time for your hobby, those themed rooms are useless. Furthermore, they might also cost you more than you realize. A bigger space means more heating, cooling, and lighting needs, so your electricity bills might go through the roof.

As a result, try to think about how you can organize a smaller space better. For instance, think of flexibility and adaptability and give double purposed rooms a chance. Downsizing doesn't have to be a bad thing, and you can enjoy a hassle-free process of moving from a bigger to a smaller home. For example, you don't need to fit all you have into a smaller house. You can give away some of your belongings, sell others at a garage sale, or keep them in a storage facility until you decide what to do with them.

Tour other houses
Another good way to decide on the right house size for you or your family is to view other homes. It can be your friend's homes, your relative's homes, or just homes that are on the market. You can observe how other people choose their houses and what today's buyers want most in their homes. Also, that can help you understand better the true meaning of square footage. However, if you will get the chance to see two houses of the same square footage size, pay attention to the floor plans. You could find a larger kitchen with a shared laundry room and bathroom in one and a small kitchen with more space for dedicated rooms in the other. As a result, after seeing both homes, you can choose which one best suits your needs.

Seeing other people's homes can help you decide on the right house size for you.

​Trust your instinct
If you enter a house and it feels just right, you have probably found your winner. Trust us, we've seen it happen a lot of times. Also, when it comes to buying a house, there isn't anything that can make up your mind more than your instinct. When you have a good feeling about the home, you can make it work even if it's a bit bigger or smaller than you initially wanted. If you have a bad feeling about it, you will always feel unsatisfied by its size, shape, or number of rooms. In a word, try to trust your instinct when you are on a house hunt. It can help you decide on the right house size.

Sally Norton is a freelance copywriter based out of Miami, with a flare for writing optimized articles. Her experience is focused on moving, travel, real estate and overall guides to help people with some challenging projects and endeavors. In her spare time, Sally enjoys yoga and walks with her dogs - Mane & Rex.