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Writer's pictureStephanie Lennon

Expansion Time!

Unfortunately, our homes don’t always grow with us. What may have initially worked fine for a single person, a young couple’s starter home, or a family with a newborn can quickly become too small as families expand and multiple generations live under one roof.


I remember all too well when my starter town home started feeling cramped. Originally a bachelorette's oversized party pad, it became just right once a husband and baby girl joined my scene. When the little man joined the party, between the cats, babies, husband and all the baby paraphernalia ... we simply needed more space to breathe.


Remodeling and adding to your home is one option for creating more space. It can be costly, and the size of your property may be prohibitive. Sometimes the structure itself just doesn't suit an expansion. That’s when moving to a bigger home becomes the best solution.


WHERE DO YOU NEED MORE SPACE?

The first thought when upsizing your home is to simply consider square footage, bedrooms, and bathrooms. But it’s important to take a more critical approach to how your space will actually be used.


If like me, you have younger children (or possibly more on the way), then focusing on bedrooms and bathrooms makes sense. But if your children are closer to heading off to college or starting their own families, it may be better to prioritize group spaces like the kitchen, dining room, living room, and outdoor space. It will pay off during the holidays or summer vacations, when everyone is coming to visit for big gatherings.


MOVING OUTWARD

If you need more space, but don’t necessarily want a more expensive home, you may get a lot more house for your money if you move a little further out from the city center. While the walkability and short commutes of a dense neighborhood or condo are hard to leave beyond, your lifestyle—and preferences for hosting Thanksgiving, barbecues, and birthdays—might mean that a spacious home in the suburbs makes the most sense. It’s your best option for upsizing while avoiding a heftier price tag.


We made the decision to move a bit further out, which gave us more indoor and outdoor space. Kid birthday parties are always held in our back yard, with plenty of space for the kids to run amok while the adults socialize. The yard invites songbirds and squirrels, while providing a peaceful oasis - when it's not full of birthday guests!


What will work for your lifestyle? Let's find a house to support that dream.

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