When Two Households Become One

Brighton homes for sale are part of an important real estate trend that's playing out all across the nation: More and more home buyers are looking for properties for their blended family.

Blended family describes any family where at least one partner has children from a previous relationship. Foster families are thought of as blended, too. About two-thirds of active homebuyers in the United States today are buying for a blended family. They need real estate agents who understand their needs!

Our REALTORS® recognize that blended families have their own unique considerations when buying a home. Each blended family is unique, but every family member should enjoy enough space, respect, belonging, and privacy.

Here are a few things to consider when you're house hunting for a blended family home:

1. Choose Your Location Carefully
   Location is always important in real estate, but it's especially crucial for blended families. The home needs to strike a balance, close enough to both parents' jobs so neither one is stuck with a long commute. Think about the kids, too: To cut down on their bus journey, will one or more have to change schools? Have options in mind even before you look at properties.
2. Give Everyone Their Space
   Modern homes that feature big, open floor plans may not be the best fit for a blended family. A more traditional layout that affords enclosed spaces to each family member is the ideal. If kids must share bedrooms, ensure that each one has their own bed and storage space. That can include specific parts of the closet or certain dresser drawers that are off-limits to others.
3. Start with a Family Budget
   Discovering how much house you can afford – and, thus, a realistic mortgage package – often starts by developing a budget. For a blended family, this is even more useful. It's a good idea to think ahead to your long-term plans and build necessary savings into your budget, too. This will help you get a financing package that won't require unexpected sacrifices down the line.
4. Get the Kids Involved
   At the start of the buying process, each member of the family should make a list of 3-4 "must-have" items for the house. Spoiler alert: Not everyone will get everything on the list. This is an important task, though, since it allows you to recognize priorities shared by multiple family members. That makes it easier to recognize the home you want when you finally see it!
5. Plan Relocation Schedules Carefully
   If at all possible, you should pack and relocate gradually to minimize chaos during your big move. A temporary storage space – kept for one or two months – can be the perfect staging ground to begin moving packed things while waiting for closing day. If you must move all at once, plan "sprints" of several hours of moving around obligations such as school and work. You can do it!
6. Let the Kids Leave Their Mark
   Before you leave for a new house, give kids the opportunity to spend some time in their old spaces and "say goodbye." Once move-in is done, help them adjust emotionally by encouraging them to help decorate their bedrooms, play areas, and other spaces that are just for them. That makes moving time less bittersweet and more fun for kids who might otherwise feel uprooted.

The right home can add comfort and tranquility to any blended family's lifestyle. At Griffith Realty, we work with you to understand your needs and help you find a home everyone will love. Contact us to find out more. We look forward to helping your family thrive.