Finding the perfect family home, that both has enough space for all of the family, and which makes family life as easy as it can possibly be, is no mean feat, but it can be done.

If you’re looking for your next family home and you want to ensure that you get it absolutely right, here are some tips to help you spot a good thing when you see it:

Check the Floorplan

If you want to find a home that works for you, it’s always a good idea to check out the floor plan. The way a house is laid out can make life really easy or really hard, so it’s of paramount importance that you take this seriously, For example, if the kitchen is three floors down from the bedroom and you have a baby who you need to make bottle for in the night, the thought of slogging up all those steps when you’re already dog tired probably isn’t a good one, or if you have kids who love having the space to run around, a house with a floorplan that isn’t open probably wouldn’t work out too well. Know what you need and bear that in mind when looking at the floorplan.

There’s Scope to Make Changes

Choosing a family home that has space to extend is always a plus because then you can make it what you want and change it to suit your family’s growing needs. Alternatively, you may want to look at the affordability of the house and land package homes in your area because that way you can have a great deal of input into what your house will be like right from the off., The more scope there is to put your family’s stamp on your new home, the better it will be for you all.

Outdoor Space

If you have a young family, outdoor space is vital. It will give the kids the chance to blow off some steam and allow you to spend some quiet relaxation time out in nature, Of course, outdoor space can be expensive, so if you cannot afford a home with a decent sized garden, look for properties that are close to the beach or parkland that you can all make use of instead. If there are lots of places to spend time outdoors, it’s a sure sign you’ve spotted a great family home.

Plenty of Bathrooms

One of the most annoying things about family life is the ques for the bathroom in the morning. Try to find a property where there are two or more bathrooms, or at least the ability to add more in the future, and family life will get a whole lot better.

Low Maintenance

Family life is busy, so if you spot a home that is in really good condition, and which is unlikely to need much maintenance, make an offer! Oh, and low maintenance doesn’t just mean it’s structurally sound, things like tiles or hardwood floors instead of carpet can make a huge difference too!

Good luck finding your perfect family home!

This worry has been creeping up on you slowly for a while now, and you knew the dreaded day would come when you’d have to start looking for options of care for your aging parent. It’s not a pleasant subject, but an important one nonetheless, and must be handled very carefully. If you’re working full-time, and your aging loved one has found themselves in need of more care urgently, you could be feeling immense pressure to find an answer. There are a few steps that can ease you in the direction most appropriate for you and your parent.

Assessment

The first step on finding appropriate care for your aging parent is seeking an assessed by a professional Aged Care Assessment Team. This determines how well your loved one could manage care on their own, or what degree of help they need. To do this, you must go to the My Aged Care website, and get in contact with them regarding consultation for your loved one, to become part of the Federal Government’s aged care system.

Care at Home

Many aging people continue to enjoy their home comforts, and the thought of moving from their sanctuary is a nightmare. For those who are assessed as safe to do so, your aging parent may be able to stay living at home, with the assistance of a care package – a team of caregivers caring for your loved one in their own home. Unfortunately, these care packages often come after a substantial wait – something you may not be in the position to allow for.

Respite Care

If you feel as though you are in need of care for your aging parent now, but are unsure about long-term, then respite care may be the answer. Respite care is usually care provided by an Aged Care facility for a short period. This gives time for other arrangements to be made if necessary, for your loved one to experience what an Aged Care facility is like, and to provide you with a chance to get everything in order in the comfort of knowing that they are safe and well looked after.

Aged Care Facility

An Aged Care facility is often for those who are assessed as unable to manage at home, even with a care package. There are fantastic Aged Care facilities around, enabling your aging parent a new sense of home, being well looked after and in the company of others in a similar situation. It’s an opportunity to be safe, secure and offers the valuable interaction that many aging people miss out on. While an Aged Care facility provides some great relief, it is something to be carefully considered beforehand, taking into account the desires of your loved one.

It’s important to stay calm and not to panic when faced with decision making for your aging parent. Make sure that you discuss their options with them, to keep them involved with the process. It is a daunting time for you, but quite possibly more worrying for your loved one. Having had the correct assessments for your loved one, you should have the right information to help you moved forward in the appropriate direction.

Death isn’t most people’s favourite conversation topic. However, addressing your will is imperative. To ignore this duty would heighten the risk of leaving your family in a terrible financial position if you were to pass away. It is not only the money that matters either. You have to think about appointing a guardian for your minor children as well. Don’t you want this to be in your control? All things considered, to say writing a will is imperative is a monumental understatement. The necessity of this cannot be put into words.

Writing a will can be a lot more difficult than imagined. There are so many different aspects you must consider. As mentioned, appointing a guardian for any minor children is imperative. It is always recommended to identify a first and second choice. You should explain why you think the adult in question will provide stable and continuous care. You must also state the relationship between the child and the adult.

Another role you will need to identify is the beneficiaries of your will. From properties, to money, to smaller assets; you need to embark on thorough estate planning. Most people tend to leave their assets to their partner and their children. Don’t neglect the ‘what if’ possibilities. What if you and your partner passed away at the same time? What if you are remarried – Do you want your assets to go to your children rather than your new spouse? Also, a lot of people don’t realise that their debt is deducted from their estate. If you don’t want your kids to miss out, use a credit card monthly interest calculator and put together a debt repayment plan so you can get this paid off sooner rather than later.

In addition to the points that have already been mentioned, you will also need to decide on a personal representative to execute your wishes. The word ‘representative’ is imperative here. You have to trust the individual’s judgement. In fact, your judgement will be in question when writing your will as well, in the sense that you must be of sound mind before you begin to write it.

Knowing what not to include in your will is just as important as knowing what to include. Some of the things that cannot be incorporated are certain types of property, such as; joint tenancy property and property in a living trust. Many individuals are tempted to leave their funeral instructions in their will. This is ill-advised. In most cases, the settlement of your estate and alike will not be handled until after your funeral.

It is also worth noting that your will may need to be updated on one occasion or more. A lot of people write their will and then they put it to the back of their mind and never think about it again. However, circumstances can easily change. What if you end up getting divorced? What if the person you identified as a guardian is no longer suitable? What if your finances have changed? Updating your will is imperative.

Finally, professional aid is always recommended when it comes to writing a will. This will guarantee that everything is handled the right way so that your family and loved ones are protected in the event of your death.

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