Looking for a new condo with baby in mind

If you are considering purchasing a new condominium suite and you plan on having a family in the near future, buy with baby “stuff” in mind. Sure, a two-bedroom suite is optimal, but perhaps you can afford only a one-bedroom at this time. With the benchmark price of new condos in the GTA having reached $841,159 in September, it is understandable that young buyers may have to start out in a compact design. In fact, many people have managed quite well in small condos, and you will find all sorts of advice from them online. Here are a few things I learned with just a little bit of surfing.

Ask your builder about the possibility of having barn rather than swing doors. A lot of space is opened up for use when doors do not need clearance. If barn doors are not an option, consider having no doors. It will be years before the child needs or wants privacy. Buying new means you may have the ability to alter your floorplan accordingly.

Can you afford a one-bedroom plus den? If so, the den can become a nursery.

When you shop for suite designs, look carefully at wall space. Whatever you can hang, including a change table, means shelf and drawer space is freed up.

Remember when you select furnishings that multi-purpose is the way to go. Many items nowadays have storage built right into them, which is a real bonus for things like toys, diapers, etc.

Does the suite have any built-in storage? If so, that’s a plus.

Do you own a vacuum sealer? I know of young couples who vacuum seal the baby clothes that are too big now and slide them under the bed or other furniture until the child grows into them. Flat storage is a clever way to make the most use of typically unused space.

Ask the sales representative what the developer has done to provide kid-friendly areas in the building. If you have a large play area with toys and equipment available, that means you can keep fewer of this type of item in your suite.

Check out what local amenities are within a stroll of the buildings you are considering. Libraries usually feature story time for little ones, and community centres may offer parent-tot swim lessons. And are there parks nearby? During the nice weather, nothing beats a brisk walk in the outdoors.

Once you move in, start or join a parent-baby or parent-tot get-together in the building. You can work on socializing the children and enjoying some adult conversation in the process.

At Baker Real Estate Incorporated, we see an increase in families choosing to live in condominiums for financial and lifestyle reasons. Remember that layout is more important than square feet when it comes to livability. With a little ingenuity, you can make room for a baby and enjoy extra time parenting your little sweetheart by leaving exterior maintenance and the upkeep and repair of common amenities to someone else!