Moving Up? What You Need to Consider to Accommodate Your Growing Family

One of the most common reasons to buy a home is to accommodate your growing family. Perhaps you want to live in a neighborhood with better schools and more services, or maybe you need a bigger house as the two of you turns into three and then four.

In fact, in a recent study by the National Association of Home Builders, some 64 percent of respondents agreed with the statement: "I wish my home were larger." The other two top concerns are price and finding the right neighborhood.

If you have a young family and are ready to make the jump from your entry level home, or if you've been renting and are embarking on the purchase of your first house, you'll want to consider the following during your house-hunting ventures:

Neighborhood. As you examine a specific neighborhood, ask yourself if this is a neighborhood in which you'd feel comfortable. Although your kids are toddlers now, in just a few short years they'll be outside riding their bikes and playing with the neighborhood children. Buying in a good neighborhood also helps ensure your property values.