FALL SPACES SAVINGS
HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIAL
TIPS TO DETERMINE HOW BIG A HOME YOU REALLY NEED
The ideal amount of square footage in a home varies from buyer to buyer. Determining what suits you may come down to how you answer a variety of questions.
Shopping for a new home is an exciting
experience. As prospective buyers shop
around and attend open houses, they are
likely to fi ne-tune their list of what they need
and what they want in their next home.
One choice buyers will be faced with is how
much home to buy. Determining how much
square footage an ideal home should have can
be diffi cult. While many home buyers can
envision themselves enjoying a palatial estate,
square footage is a signifi cant variable
in regard to home prices. When trying to determine
how much home to buy, prospective
home buyers can ask themselves a range of
questions to help make that decision.
How much can I afford?
Home buyers' budgetary considerations
should extend beyond the asking price of a
home and into what they will be able to afford
should they purchase a particular property.
Projected monthly mortgage payments can
be easy to determine, but utilities can fl uctuate
considerably from home to home. Energy
prices are fl uid, but the more square footage a
home has, the higher utility bills are likely to
be. When determining how much home you
should buy, you fi rst need to identify what
you can afford, and that mock budget should
include estimates regarding monthly utilities.
In addition, upgrading and renovating a larger
property is likely to cost more, so that's another
budget-related variable to consider when
determining how much home to buy.
How much home can I take care of?
Seasoned homeowners know that the work required
to own a home never ceases. First-time
buyers must keep that in mind when shopping
for a home. A home with lots of square
footage will require more daily and long-term
maintenance than a smaller home. If you don't
have the time, the means or the will to keep
up with maintaining a property, then perhaps a
home with a small footprint in terms of square
footage is for you. If taking care of the home is
not a concern, then extra square footage may
not be a deterrent.
How signifi cant a variable is ZIP code
when selling a home?
Another variable to consider when determining
square footage is the ZIP code of a home.
Selling might not be foremost on the minds
of prospective buyers, but a large home in
a town with a poor school district and safety
concerns is unlikely to generate as great a
return on investment as a smaller home in a
town with a reputation for great schools and
little crime. However, the real estate market
is forever in fl ux, so prospective buyers who
prefer a larger home but don't want to break
the bank to purchase one are urged to work
with a real estate professional to identify areas
that might be up-and-coming and offer the
best of both worlds. That's no small task, but
local real estate agents and realtors can be invaluable
assets in such pursuits.
How much home do I need?
Of course, how much home a buyer needs is a
unique and important variable. But this also is
a diffi cult question to answer. Buyers who plan
to grow their families will need enough space
to accommodate everyone who eventually lives
under their roof. Couples buying a home together
to have can use that discussion to inform how
large a home to buy. Buyers who like to get out
and about can ask how much time they're likely
to spend at home and use that to determine how
much square footage they need at home.
WITH EVERY SIGNED LISTING WE ARE OFFERING A
FREE PRE-HOME INSPECTION
who discuss how big a family they want
Are you thinking of making a move? We’d be happy to assist you with all of your
home buying or selling needs! We are not just Realtors, we are your neighbors,
specializing in our community, and getting you the Results You Deserve!
MARY LOU CELLA
Licensed RE Salesperson
Cell: 631.703.8423
mcella@signaturepremier.com
KAREN ORRACH
Licensed Associate RE Broker
Cell: 516.410.6270
korrach@signaturepremier.com
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If your property is currently listed with another brokerage, please disregard. It is not my intention to solicit the listings of other brokerages.
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Edition 802 Spaces - Fall 2026 www.ALLISLANDMEDIA.com