Maybe the family is growing or perhaps the house is just beginning to feel a bit small. Whatever the case, many of us eventually need more space. If you think it may be time for a larger St. Louis home, here are a few things to think about before taking that leap:

What’s Your Five-Year Plan?

Do you anticipate the family unit expanding in the next 5 years? And if so, are there enough rooms to accommodate everyone comfortably? A growing family is among the main reasons people choose to move into a larger home. Alternatively, it might feel that the house is full of your teenagers’ things, and that can make the space seem smaller. But if that’s the case, it may not be wisest to elect for more space when they might be in college or out on their own soon. Assess the future before making any decisions.

What Do You Love About Your Current Home?

Apart from it feeling a bit too small, think about the things you love about your current house. If it’s in the perfect location or has charm that will be tough to replicate elsewhere, you may want to pause and reflect. That’s not saying you shouldn’t move; it’s just worth factoring an upgrade in size against the uniqueness you really love about your house. Conversely, if there are some things in the current house that don’t work for you — maybe the layout isn’t optimal, or the commute to work is longer than you’d like — those might be enough to tip the scale.

Do You Really Need a Bigger House?

When most people consider moving into a larger home, they’ll tell you that they need more space. And if you’re trying to accommodate a growing family, that’s a valid concern. If it you just can’t find a place to store everything, you may be able to remedy that without having to move. Determine if you truly need more square footage, or if you just need to figure out how to maximize your storage.

What’s Going to Change?

A larger home brings with it more maintenance requirements. The amount of time you spend week-to week on things like vacuuming, dusting, and yard work, may increase considerably. You might also find that your expenses, like heating and cooling for instance, go up. If you truly need more space, then that’s a trade-off that can be managed. It’s important to consider all of the implications in advance.

It’s important to weigh several factors before making the jump to a larger home. You may need that extra space, but you may just need to make a few of these adjustments to be comfortable in your current home. 

If you’d like a recommendation for an experienced Realtor to help you find the perfect home, or if we can help you with a mortgage preapproval, please reach out to us. We’d love to help you.