7 Sanity Saving Tips for House Hunting with the Kids

When you are making plans for relocation, it is important to involve everybody in the family. You may think it's too hard to go house-hunting with the kids, however, there are a number of reasons why it's a great idea: house-hunting together will give an increased feeling of being a family, and children will feel that their concerns and needs in a new home are taken seriously. If you've got teenagers, this last point is of particular importance! Let's get started: here are 7 great ideas to take some of the stress out of the process!

1. Short List Before You Start

Sort out your potential purchases before you start and only take the kids to the ones you are seriously considering. Limit the number of homes that you visit so that you don't tire yourselves out. It's hard to make good comparisons when you are tired, hungry, thirsty or grouchy! 3 homes in one session is probably the most anyone would want to see, in one day. Ask me for a copy of our FREE Report Last 6 Months Sales in Area.

2. Set The Ground Rules Early

You need to set initial ground rules with the children, before you start. Remind the children to:

•  Stay in the same room as you.

•  Don't touch or pick up things because you respect the person's home and their belongings.

•  Keep their thoughts about the house to themselves until after you leave. (Positive or negative! - either can work against you.)

•  It's a good idea to show respect for the home you are visiting, by insisting that your children eat and drink outside, and wash their hands before entering the home, if they have had something to eat or drink. Plus, they and probably you, should check if you need to take off your shoes, particularly stilettos, if the home has polished floors, or it has been raining.

•  Explain your reasons for these ground rules and offer a reward at the end of the day, for good behaviour.

3. Involve Them in Keeping Track of Homes

Have the kids keep a record of the homes you've seen. Get them to include the location, size, type of house, etcetera and what they thought of the house and what it would be like to live there. They can probably devise a rating system as well.

4. Where's the Park?

After the house-hunting, head to the playground or the park! It's a great way to relax after the hours spent house hunting and it's a good reward for the kids for helping you out. It also gives you a good opportunity to check out the neighbourhood.

5. Bring Some Diversions

Books, games and puzzles help everybody get through the “I'm bored” stage. If you (or they) will be in the car for a while, bring some audio books or favourite music.

6. Get in Early

Organise to visit houses early in the day or just after naptime. Bring along snack foods and drinks to keep energy levels up, plus handy-wipes.

7. Make Sure They Know Their Feelings Count

Although the final decision is yours, your children will feel better about the move if they know you value what they think about their potential new home and neighbourhood.

Plus, it's very important to help them come to terms with moving from their old home, to a new one. Sometimes the move involves dislocation - of friends, family supports and familiarity of comfortable settings such as a child's favourite bedroom, cubby-house or climbing tree.

To assist your child, talk to them about how they feel about moving. Just letting a child express what they feel without judgement, can be a big help. Let your child know it's okay to feel sad, to feel anxious, or to feel confused by what's happening around them. These are normal feelings that people have when they are making changes. By the way, adults have these normal reactions as well; so go easy on yourself as well.

This Report is aimed at helping you learn more about handling your search for your new home and how to get the best result for you. Thank you for calling on me for help. If there is anything further that you require, do call.