Average Size of a House
While the design and build of your new home is very important, you should not forget to check whether is the right ‘fit’ for you as well. When buying a home, you need to keep certain factors in mind, including the size of your family, your need for entertainment, all the stuff you own that will need to be placed in the house and whether you need to set up a home office etc. If you end up buying a house you love, but one that cannot effectively ‘house’ you, you will regret the purchase.
Family size
One of the major considerations when it comes to the size of your new house is the size of your family. You will need room to accommodate everyone and the number of bedrooms for instance, should be sufficient to house all the family members. According to a Canadian Council on Social Development study, every one in seven homes in Canada is unsuitable for the family which lives in it. Moreover, if you have children, you will need to account for extra space which is required for recreation. On the other hand, if you are single and living alone, you won’t need a lot of space, and can afford to reduce the active living space.
Storage Needs
Storage space is an important requirement, especially if you pack a lot of stuff. If you have a lot of old stuff or shop a lot, you will need space to place it all. Check for space available in rooms, the attic, the basement and the garage. If the house does not have sufficient storage space, you will have to end up cluttering it with all your stuff.
Room use
Depending on your needs and requirements, you will need to assess the number of rooms and how you can use them. If for instance, you work from home, you will need a dedicated room to setup your home office. Likewise, if you want to have an in-house gym, you will need a room to place all the equipment. Your lifestyle is a major determinant when it comes to choosing the number of rooms.
Visitors
Guest rooms are a must if you frequently have friends and family members over. You will not want guests to be sharing your private living space, and should have enough space to accommodate them separately. A separate room with an attached washroom and a small cooking space might be what you need.
