How to find the right home for your entertainment style

Do you dream of hosting the perfect family Thanksgiving celebration? Is it your fantasy to throw a New Year’s party that all of your friends remember? These are things you should let a Realtor know, regardless of what time of year it is!

“Realtors work every day to help their clients find the ideal house that feels like home,” says Orlando Regional Realtor Association Chairman Zola Szerencses, Keller Williams Heritage Realty. “If to you, home is where you invite your friends and family to celebrate the holidays, then your Realtor will help find you the perfect home in which to make those memories.”

But what exactly is the perfect home for hosting holiday parties? “You need to ask yourself, ‘What kind of parties do I want to host?’ and, ‘How do I plan on entertaining my guests?’” says Szerencses. “Once you have a vision, your Realtor can help identify homes to help make it a reality.”

Here are a few things to consider when looking for your perfect holiday-hosting home:

Size of parties: When you throw a party does your invitation list usually consist of three or four people or 10 or more people? If your get-togethers tend to have guests numbering in the double digits, you will want to look for a home with larger living and dining rooms or outdoor space. Otherwise, be prepared to move some furniture around to make more space.

Open or closed kitchen: Do you like the idea of interacting with your guests while you prepare the party food, or do you prefer to keep the cooking behind closed doors? An open kitchen layout means your living room or dining room will flow directly into the kitchen, so you can still be a part of your party while you prep and cook. If you tend to make a mess when you cook and would rather keep it hidden, then a closed kitchen is for you.

Kitchen island: If you enjoy making food preparation an aspect of the gathering, an island is a must-have for your dream party house. “An island is not only an excellent way to add more prep space to your kitchen,” points out Szerencses. “It’s a place to sit and chat with your guests, decorate cookies or mix drinks.”

Dining room: If you envision a sit-down dinner being the main draw of your holiday party then a formal dining room should be on your list of must-haves. “Consider how large a dining room and table you will need to seat your desired number of guests,” advises Szerencses. “It’s always a good idea to bring a measuring tape with you to a showing, that way you can know for sure the table that fits your guests will actually fit the room.”

Visit orlandorealtors.org and click on the “Find A Realtor” link to locate an Orlando Realtor who is based in your area, speaks your language, or specializes in your interest.

—ORRA