View post on imgur.com

As many of us will discover over the course of our lives, the time to consider moving on from the family home is one that can be emotional, stressful and time-consuming.

It’s always good to remind yourself that realizing it’s time for a change can be the best thing that happens to you!

It’s an opportunity to reevaluate what you want for your life and for your family and help you to work towards achieving that.

Remember, looking for a new home to help upgrade your living situation can be a lengthy and expensive process.

Before you start crunching numbers, consider these signs:

1. Size

Are you finding that the upgrades you always hoped for no longer fit within your four walls?

It could be that the bathroom you wanted with the built-in spa and double-basin cabinet doesn’t seem to fit in your bathroom space the way you want them to.

Or you’re looking to build a patio that will suit your summer BBQs and maybe your garden doesn’t offer the layout that is appropriate.

You may also find yourself Googling “how to declutter” more these days and this is a guaranteed sign you’re in need of more space.

You will find that there are companies like rubbish removal sydney who will help you with removing your clutters.

Trust me; there are only so many clever storage solutions you can come across before you start going a little crazy.

Home life is meant to be chaotic and disorganized at times, but when you can’t seem to fit all your items in a neat space, it’s time to think about expanding.

Start looking at living spaces that inspire you. Are you after a home with ample garage space?

Or maybe you need larger rooms with better storage options.

Consider your current frustrations and make a list of what kind of spaces you’re looking for in your home.

 Thinking of making your next leap?

2. Growing family

As your young ones start to get bigger, you’ll start to amount of room for your situation.

But things change, your family could get another addition (whether that is a new baby or a furry friend) and you may start to feel that the walls are bursting at the seams.

If you feel that your current space isn’t enough, consider the spaces you’ll need to accommodate more bodies in the house and craft an idea of a living space that has enough flexibility to adapt to the evolving needs of family members.

Separate living areas are often a good idea for families to ensure both parents and children have their own areas to relax and play.

A master bedroom with an ensuite helps to give you and your partner privacy.

3. Neighborhood

This is a big one for many people looking to upgrade their living situation.

Most people will select their homes based on the neighborhood: its proximity to schools and work, as well as the quality of the houses.

Location is important, but first, you should know your budget. Your budget will dictate what areas you can afford to live in.

When you have a better understanding of your finances, you can combine this knowledge with your ideal suburbs.

Once you’ve narrowed it down to two or three, go exploring.

The best thing to do when testing out a new suburb is to take your children and the dog on a walk around the neighborhood.

Familiarize yourself with the houses, the hotspots, and the local shopping center.

You can also contact local real estate agents to understand the prime streets and preferred areas.

4. It won’t support your vision of the future

Very rarely will you see a family live in one house from birth to retirement?

It’s not something we do anymore.

While home was once a hearth that saw your family grow from their youth into adulthood; houses now are upgraded to suit changing moments in a family’s lives.

5. Maintenance

Sometimes it’s the space itself that’s telling you that you need to find a place that suits you better.

If you feel like most of your weekends are spent with visits to the hardware store and you feel like the ‘to-fix’ list isn’t getting shorter, you probably need to look at upgrading.

6. Lifestyle

Are you a social butterfly?

Do you enjoy entertaining on a regular basis?

Perhaps your kitchen is separate to your dining area and you’re feeling the distance between your cooking duties and the dinner party banter.

Think about how you intend to utilize your home.

If you need a more open plan living area to suit your entertainment needs, perhaps you need to look at a house that will offer that style of living.

7. Finances

You’re most certainly going to have to deal with repayments, bills, and fees throughout your life; but are they taking over your savings?

Particularly if you’re in a larger home, it could be a case of electricity bills skyrocketing over winter as you turn up the heating.

You could also be in a situation where interest rates are rising and you’re no longer able to comfortably afford the repayments.

It’s best to speak with an advisor to understand your financial situation and the best way to keep yourself in a suitable financial position.

8. Fresh start

Are you craving a fresh start?

Perhaps all you’re really after in a home upgrade is a change of scenery and an opportunity to explore a new area.

The words: “moving house” are often enough to strike fear into the minds of many couples as it’s remembered as being one of the most stressful and expensive undertakings.

While it may not be quick, cheap or easy; it is in a way, life-affirming.

You are choosing a new route for your family to take and it can become an adventure you experience and share together.