Moving is often accompanied by tears, arguments, and stressful conversations and decisions. When you factor in young children who don’t understand what’s happening, the tension only escalates. Here are five tips to make a move with kids a little less overwhelming.
1. Before you buy, know your dealbreakers.
Buying a home usually requires compromise. However, you should never sacrifice your dealbreakers. Almost half of parents have home buying regrets, such as wishing they had a shorter commute or a larger playroom. Don’t downplay factors that will impact your overall happiness.
2. Allow your kids to participate in the home search.
Most real estate agents have had clients who had to leave a home tour because their child was being troublesome. Fortunately, you can use technology to virtually tour homes before you decide to visit properties in-person. Consider hiring someone to babysit the kids during home tours, and only bring the kids along when you’ve narrowed down your choices.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Almost 70% of parents say that having help during the packing and unpacking process made their move less stressful. Unpacking tends to be the most overwhelming aspect of moving into a new home. Ask friends and family for assistance, and repay them with pizza and drinks.
4. Be realistic with your budget.
Money is the main focal point of many arguments that revolve around buying a home. The price of the home is only one aspect of the costs associated with real estate. Additional costs, such as the down payment, closing costs and property taxes add up quickly.
5. Get familiar with the neighborhood.
Moving to a new area is difficult, especially when you’re missing friends and family that you had to leave behind. Research potential neighborhoods before you pick a home and visit them in person to see if kids are playing outside and parents are mingling on the block. This will help you choose an area where families are prevalent.