Especially space where kids can play tag and generally wear themselves out.

Besides, young kids trash houses. If I had known what I know now, I would have waited until my oldest was about 10 years old, to buy this house.

We just celebrated our 5th anniversary in our "brand new home", and the mini-blinds are broken from the dog snarling at other dogs. The carpet is trashed from kool-aid and peanut butter.

The wood floor is water damaged from 3 year olds overflowing sinks, and 7 year olds learning to "do the dishes". The front entry water/ice dispenser in the fridge didn't help, either.

Oh yeah, the furniture we bought new 1 year before the kids were born (the oldest is now 8), is ripped, stained, food pasted, and completely trashed.

Without beating kids silly, I think you're better off just having a house they can trash until the youngest is at least 7 or 8, then buy your nice house.

Better yet, wait until they're gone? But, then there's the grandkids.

Glen