The Soccer Ball Test: Finding Your Family's Perfect Backyard

When house-hunting, families often focus on bedroom count, kitchen size, and school districts—but the humble backyard deserves equal consideration. After decades in real estate, I've developed what I call "the soccer ball test" to help families find their ideal outdoor space.

What is the Soccer Ball Test?

The concept is beautifully simple: A perfect family backyard should provide enough room for children to comfortably kick around a soccer ball without constantly sending it over the fence or through a window.
This simple metric has proven remarkably reliable for finding that elusive "just right" backyard size—one that balances family fun with practical maintenance.

Too Small: The Neighbor's Yard Becomes Your Extended Play Area

A backyard that's too compact creates immediate challenges:


  • Balls constantly landing in neighboring yards (leading to awkward retrievals)
  • Higher risk of broken windows and damaged landscaping
  • Limited space for family gatherings or multiple activities
  • Children who feel confined may seek entertainment elsewhere



These smaller yards might look manageable on paper, but they often create more headaches than harmony.

Too Large: When Weekend Relaxation Becomes Yard Work

Conversely, oversized yards come with their own set of challenges:


  • Maintenance becomes a significant time commitment
  • Landscaping and upkeep costs increase substantially
  • Unused space often becomes neglected over time
  • Valuable free time gets consumed by endless yard work



Remember: You're buying not just property, but how you'll spend your weekends for years to come.

The Perfect Balance: Creating a Memory-Making Space

The ideal backyard hits that sweet spot where memories are made without overwhelming maintenance:



  • Room for impromptu family soccer games or catch
  • Space for entertaining and outdoor dining
  • A manageable garden corner for those with green thumbs
  • Areas for both sun and shade throughout the day
  • Enough room for children to explore while remaining within sight

Beyond Square Footage: Investing in Family Moments

Your backyard represents more than just additional square footage—it's an investment in countless family memories:



  • Summer barbecues where conversations flow late into the evening
  • Fall afternoons spent jumping into freshly raked leaf piles
  • Winter mornings building the perfect snowman
  • Spring days planting gardens and watching them bloom

These moments form the backdrop of childhood and family life that kids carry with them into adulthood.

Finding Your Perfect Balance

As you tour potential homes, take a moment to envision your family life unfolding in each backyard. Bring along a soccer ball if it helps! Consider not just how the space looks today, but how it will function for your family in all seasons and as children grow.



The perfect backyard is out there—one where the soccer ball stays within bounds, maintenance feels manageable, and memories have room to grow.


Looking for your perfect backyard balance? I'd love to help you find a home that passes the soccer ball test. Contact me today to start your search!

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