The Australian Guide to Buying Your First Home | Family Essentials

By Rich Harvey, CEO & Founder, propertybuyer.com.au

One of the more challenging things about our role is finding the marriage of dream and reality in real estate.

Our dream is to find that perfect property – one that has all the key essentials and ticks every box that buyers could wish for.

But the reality is usually something different. It's almost impossible to find a home that has everything a buyer could want. There are usually trade-offs and compromises to make, and the key is balancing what can be tolerated against what can't.

That said, there are some common elements among today's family homes that seem to appeal to almost every buyer. Tick off enough of these with your next purchase, and you can be certain of not only loving your new home but also enjoying better capital growth potential.

Here are the key measures buyers seek when searching for their ideal family home.

Street Appeal

When we first arrive, we want to be left breathless by the property’s appearance. A welcoming façade that catches the eye and draws you in. This can be achieved with either a contemporary or more traditional design, both have their virtues, but making an immediate emotional connection is what we're striving for here.

For example, an entryway to the property with a beautifully landscaped garden path is fantastic. Then there's the home itself. A warm and welcoming traditional façade – perhaps a colonial design that opens its arms and draws you in through ornate fretwork, a gorgeous wide verandah, and stunning window treatments. Alternatively, it could be an architectural wonder where colour, profile and materials all come together to create something special and breathtaking.

Either way, that first impression sets the tone for everything that follows.

Car Accommodation

There's no denying that covered, lockup off-street parking for two vehicles is crucial for most family homes. The more cars, the better, of course. A lockup garage is better than a carport or open space. At a bare minimum in high-density inner-city suburbs, there should be at least one off-street car space, so residents don't have to hunt for an elusive parking spot near their home every day.

Liveability essentials

There are some elements that most homes should have when it comes to floorplan and functionality.

Having an inviting entryway is highly desirable. One that reveals a home slowly and lets you get comfortable, perhaps with a gradual reveal of views helping fuel that sense of anticipation and discovery.

Thoughtful floor plans are key. In family homes, there must be multiple breakout spaces where the family can both come together for sharing and caring but also find private space for their own endeavours. Gone are the days when one open plan living/dining/lounge/rumpus/media space will do!

That said, this open-plan area, where you entertain, cook, chat, and catch up, should be large and light-filled, allowing for full interaction when practical tasks are happening, such as preparing a meal. This space should also open out to an inviting, preferably north-facing, outdoor area for those stunning Aussie days.

Speaking of the outdoors, a large private yard area is terrific for families at all ages and stages. There's something special about getting out and grounding your feet on the turf. Privacy and security are paramount here. You don't want prying eyes peering over the fence. As for extras like pools or tennis courts – well, they're nice, but are not generally essential unless you're at a particular location and price point.

Having dedicated areas for work-from-home is key in today's world. Even if the household is back to the office, there will be times when it's necessary to fire up the keyboard and tackle some work or home administration. Some might think a study nook would suffice, but from what I've seen, a proper office space is the gold standard.

Also consider easy access for guests to bathrooms and toilets. You don't want them traipsing through bedrooms to reach these spaces where they have the chance to judge your personal areas!

In the same vein, if you have overnight guests (and you will) it's great if they have their own separate bedroom and bathroom. If there are older folks to consider, having this located on the ground floor is even better.

Practicality is key in essential areas too. A thoughtfully laid-out kitchen with plenty of storage will hit the mark. Functional appliances positioned where there's good workflow between the fridge, cooktop, and preparation space is a must.

The same extends to the laundry, where benchtop space will be a priority, along with plenty of storage for products, linen and appliances. Easy access to an outdoor drying area is also important.

Looking at bedrooms, the main bedroom must have a good-sized, practical ensuite and decent walk-in robe that accommodates the clothes and accoutrements of both occupants.

The bedroom itself needs to be large enough to allow easy movement around the bed and through the room, while also being light-filled and inviting.

Secondary bedrooms in today's homes work best when they accommodate a queen-size bed at a minimum. You can go smaller, of course, but most teenagers are demanding more sleeping surface area these days. There should be plenty of built-in storage at a minimum, and if each can have access to their own bathroom area – be it an ensuite or main bathroom with separate vanity and storage for each youngster – that will be eagerly looked for.

As I said, this dream property includes fantastic amenities, but it's rare to find all of these elements in a single home that fits every client's budget and location requirements. When compromises need to be made, it's important to discuss these with your professional advisor.

The key is understanding which elements are absolute must-haves versus nice-to-haves for your specific family situation. The perfect family home isn't just about ticking boxes — it's about finding the right balance for your lifestyle, budget and long-term goals.

Our team at Propertybuyer  understand these family home essentials intimately. We can work with your specific needs and help you identify the right property to meet your family's requirements while providing excellent protection for future resale. We take all the headaches and guesswork out of the process, helping deliver a home that makes sense for now and well into the future.

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