Buying a home for your family is a big decision. Not only is this the place where you and your little ones will grow together and build strong familial bonds, but it’s also likely to be a big financial investment that you’re tied to for years to come. Because of this importance, you want to be sure you make all the right decisions for the ones you love.

To help you in doing this, here are three things to consider when looking for a new home for your family.

Compare Mortgage Rates and Offers

Before you even think about looking for the home of your family’s dreams, you should first ensure that you have your finances in order. The last thing you want to have happen is to you and your family to have your heart set on buying a home just to find out that you can’t afford one right now.

As part of this, Emily Strabuck Crone, a contributor to NerdWallet.com, recommends that you spend some time researching and comparing mortgage rates and offers. Especially if you’ve never bought a home before, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with this aspect of home ownership. And although you don’t have to stick with your initial home mortgage loan forever—you can refinance in the future—you don’t want to get yourself into a bad financial situation from the get-go.

Think About The Future

As far as the actual home that you choose goes, it’s important that you think about not only what you and your family need right now, but also how your needs could change and adapt in the future.

According to Kelly Phillips Erb, a contributor to Forbes.com, you should be thinking about how long you plan to stay in this particular home and how your life might change while you’re there. Consider things like how secure you are in your job and what your commute will look like each day. Think about how you might have more kids or pets or take up additional hobbies that will require space in your home. All of these things will help you determine if the home you’re considering buying will be right for you both now and in the future.

The Overall Vibe Of The Neighborhood

In addition to your home, you also need to be very particular about the neighborhood that you move into when you have kids. Not only will you want your kids to safely be able to play outside at your home, but you also need to consider the school district that the home is in and how your kids will do there.

Ideally, Coral Nafie, a contributor to The Spruce, recommends that you try to find the smallest home in the nicest neighborhood that you can comfortably afford. This will ensure you’re living in a great area for a great price.

If you’re going to be looking for a new home for your family soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you find the perfect place.