Ah, parenting. It’s all so simple and euphoric and idyllic, isn’t it? At least, that is, if you believe every diaper or baby food commercial with its soft instrumental soundtracks, hazy-lensed filters, and well-rested parents.

But any veteran parent can tell you that while children are, of course, incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, they are also equal parts sticky, loud and overwhelming.

And while homebuying may not elicit an immediate correlation to the trials and tribulations of parenting, buying a home as guardian of your mini-me does require some forethought and strategy.

So because we realize you’re likely sleep deprived, hungry, tired and/or relishing just a few minutes of solitude hiding in a closet sneaking a candy bar that you don’t want to share, consider this list we’ve compiled for 10 things you should consider when buying a home as a parent.

1. Square Footage. Kids take up space. Like, a lot of space. Sure, they have toys and gadgets and gizmos, but they also just occupy more space as they bound endlessly through a home. And those ambling toddlers will one day be large, lumbering teenagers – so square footage matters.

2. Utilization. If you have young children, you may want the home to be stroller-accessible, such as boasting a ramped entryway. It’s also important to look for a home with a large laundry room, ample outlets and enough closet and storage space for all. the. things.

3. Bedroom Location. You know you want a nursery with enough room for a rocker, changing table, and crib. But what you may not factor is the proximity of your bedroom to the nursery. For younger children, you may prefer kids’ bedrooms closer to your own but for older children, farther spaced bedrooms offer more privacy.

4. Schools Districts. It’s important to carefully consider the education options in the area. You should consider the ratings of the public schools in your area or whether there are private or religious schools that appeal to you. Further, the better the school district, the more equity.

5. Sidewalks. Oh, sidewalks, the unsung hero of pedestrian extracurriculars. They provide a buffer between cars and kids at play, and are critical for strollers, wagons and bike rides. Additionally, sidewalks invite family walks, lemonade stands, and seem to practically beg for chalk murals.

6. Open Floor Plan. Bonus rooms like attics and basements are nice for older kids, but they’re less than ideal for toddlers who require constant supervision. This is why finding a home with a great room – with the kitchen, dining, and family room all opening into one another – still reigns supreme.

7. Backyard Visibility. All homebuyers recognize the importance of having a yard, but unless you want to schlep yourself outside every time your young kids do, you’ll want to consider how visible the yard is from inside. Wherever you’ll spend the majority of your day – the kitchen, the great room, a home office – be sure you can see your yard.

8. Lot Topography. For those of us in sea-level Florida, this isn’t as much of a consideration but for those looking to buy a house where there are hills, consider that their slope can throw a serious wrench in any plans to bike ride or skateboard.

9. Walk Score. Any RealtorⓇ worth their salt can help you determine the ‘walk score’ of a prospective neighborhood. While most people appreciate close proximity to walkable shops and restaurants, parents of young children especially love the option of walking to nearby businesses and parks as it proves incredibly burdensome pack up the car with children, strollers and bags.

10. The Neighbors. Not to be a Debbie Downer – womp womp – but we’d be remiss if we didn’t suggest that you check The National Sex Offender Public Website, which allows you to find who – if anyone – on the registry lives in your radius when deciding on a neighborhood.

So there you have it – an exhaustive list of things to consider and remember – because you didn’t have enough on your plate already, right? But fear not, parents. The experienced team at DeLeon Sheffield Company has been there and done that – kids, homebuying and even homebuying with kids – so we’re ready to help guide you every step of the way, even if the two hours of sleep you’re coasting on isn’t enough to help you remember everything on this list yourself.

Because at DeLeon Sheffield Company, ‘We’re More Than Realty; We’re Family.’