What Are You Looking For In A Home? Part 2: Trading Up

In part 2 of our three-part series on “What Are You Looking For In A Home?,” we will talk about the homeowners that are in the “Trading Up” position. This might mean that you still have kids in the home, but they are much older, which means their needs and yours are changing.

Here is a list of some things that homeowners are looking for in their trade up home:

• Hangout-Friendly Rooms
  As your kids get older, they need less room for toys and more room to hang out with their friends. When you trade up your home, consider adding in a game room or make the basement hang out friendly for your teenagers.
• Location
  You still have to keep in mind location when it comes to trading up, especially if your kids are still in school. Make sure you are finding the right school district for them at this point in their lives.
• Resale Value
  Just like the first time home buyers, you probably aren’t going to be living in this house for the rest of your life. As your kids are leaving the house, you’re going to want to downsize, but another family will be in the trading up stage of their lives. Build a home that not only you will like, but a future family can appreciate as well.
• The Sandwich Generation
  Most people that are at the time in their lives where they are “trading up” are also the homeowners that fall into the sandwich generation. This means that you have to be prepared for a parent to move in with you if something were to happen to one of your parents. This might mean adding an additional room or suite onto your house that can serve as a guest room while they aren’t living there.
• Getting The Biggest Bang For Your Buck
  Building a trade up home shouldn’t mean you spend a boatload of cash on it. Since you are moving into a trade up home that means your kids are older and you are getting that much closer to having to pay for college. Keep your financials in mind, always.
• Making Sure Everyone Has Their Own Area
  As your kids get older, no one wants to share a bedroom or a bathroom for that matter especially a brother who has sisters. Consider giving everyone their own vanity area for more efficiency.

Pitfalls Of “Trading Up”

• Selling a home while building another
  A downfall to trading up is having two homes on your hands at once. How you choose to go about this all depends on your financial status. It might be in your best interest to sell your home at the same time that you are building your new one. There are many factors that go into making that decision.

Why Is Homestead Homes Perfect For “Trade Up” Builders?

Homestead Homes is here to provide excellent services and expert advice to homebuilders at any stage in their life. We can help even the experienced home builders find the new home of their dreams.

Are you looking to build a trade up home? Contact us and our experts would love to help you out!