PUBLISHED May 19, 2020
By Alexis Hall
Selling your home, buying a new one, and preparing for a move always feels like a bit of a balancing act. Add kids to the equation, and the process gets much more complicated. Keeping your life in order while navigating a move is no easy task, but you can make it much easier by planning ahead! Check out the following tips to learn how you can survive a move as a busy parent.
Streamline the House-Hunting Process
It can take a long time to find the perfect home, especially if you have children to consider. Besides looking for your dream house features, you will also have to keep an eye out for signs of a family-friendly neighborhood, such as calm traffic, low crime rates, good schools, and kid-friendly amenities like parks and playgrounds. When you find a neighborhood that meets your needs, do some research online to assess the home prices in the area (e.g., Denver homes have recently been selling for an average price of $457,000). Researching online is a quick and easy way to compare homes available in your target neighborhood based on the features you’re looking for and your available budget.
Working with an experienced real estate agent is another great way to streamline your house-hunting experience. Your agent should have a solid understanding of your area and will be able to recommend neighborhoods within your budget. They can also help you access demographic data and information about crime rates and local schools, which can help you make the best decision for your family.
Plan Your Move as Early as Possible
When you find the perfect home, start planning your move as soon as possible. The earlier you tackle essential details, the sooner you can relieve some of the anticipatory stress about your upcoming move. The Spruce recommends booking a moving company at least two months before your move and ideally three months early if you’re moving during the busy summer months. Since moving can get expensive, make a budget and take steps to keep costs down. Smooth Movers explains that the cost of hiring a moving service will depend on the day of the week you choose to move, how far you’re moving, and the total weight of your stuff.
Managing Showings and Open Houses
Navigating showings and open houses are hard with kids underfoot. Children seem to create a mess out of nothing, so keeping your home show-ready is bound to be a challenge. Make things easier on yourself by working with your real estate agent to set a schedule that works for your family. For example, you could allow showings between certain times on two days of the week when your family can get out of the house for a couple of hours. This way, you’ll never be caught off-guard by last-minute showings.
You can also save yourself some stress by skipping the open house. According to Investopedia, only four percent of buyers attend open houses, so you’re better off avoiding the hassle and focusing instead on your online marketing.
Helping Your Kids Cope with a Move
Remember, moving is stressful for your kids too! Your children may be facing a wide range of emotions at the idea of packing up and leaving the place they call home, especially if they will have to say goodbye to friends and adjust to a new school. Try to be receptive to your kids’ feelings during this difficult time. If they want to be involved in the move, maintain open communication with them about what’s going on and find ways for them to feel helpful. When you finally arrive in your new home, set up your kids’ rooms first so they have all their familiar comforts close at hand. Then, spend some time exploring the neighborhood together so you can all get excited about your new home!
Moving with kids is a wild ride, to say the least. Although you’re likely facing a lot of stress right now, try to maintain a positive mindset and a calm demeanor to help your kids cope with this major transition. With thorough planning and some help from a great real estate agent, you’re bound to find the perfect home and settle into your new neighborhood before you know it!
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