Published Date 9/19/2019
Moving is a stressful idea, let alone a stressful experience, but people do it all the time. The thing is, while adults can justify the chaos and change of what is to come, kids aren’t that open-minded about it. All they see is the eradication of all they know with no clue as to what happens next or how it might feel.
If you are a parent who is sensitive enough to talk to your kids about impending change (the death of a loved one, a new baby or even a divorce) then speaking about the changing of home is a good idea. Instead of assuming the news will upset them, think of how traumatic it will be if you spring it on them.
First, tell your kids about the reality of selling your home and explain (even if you’ve mentioned it in passing before) why it’s happening. But don’t wait until boxes are being packed. Do it well ahead of time — within a day or so of when you know it is happening and before the “for sale” sign goes up on your front lawn. If you can, talk to them about the new house and show it to them if feasible. Drive them around the new neighborhood and talk about its assets (park, school, open space, activities, etc.) If the new place is too far away, make sure to show them photos and videos of it.
When packing, make kids a part of the process by helping you declutter — their stuff as well as your own. Toys, clothes, games — if much of this is outdated or no longer used, talk to them about how another child might delight in it the way they once did. For sales presentation purposes, however, keep the toys out of eyesight by putting them in a closet or a separate storage container. If you need to leave some toys in view, gather them in one designated room. When buyers see them everywhere, it’s more difficult for them to picture themselves in the house and place a different purpose on each room.
And when your Realtor tells you, it’s best to put away your OWN memorabilia, take him or her seriously. Remove/pack away your family’s personal touches, such as souvenir collections, and family photos. As for themed areas in your house (especially kids’ rooms) paint over walls in bedrooms and play areas and hand the kids paintbrushes to help with the first few strokes. Kids love to paint. Go for a neutral paint color to cover up any chalkboard paint or bold patterns you used for the kids to allow potential buyers to see themselves in your home. But make sure to describe to your kids the reasoning behind it to avoid misunderstandings and/or trauma precipitated by a sudden change. If you plan to add sayings on walls and special decor to their next bedroom or play spaces, engage them in the process as a way to get them excited about the move.
Showings are part of selling a home, but they’re not fun for anyone living in the listing — especially kids. If you’re lucky, they will often happen, sometimes without the lead time you’d hoped for. To make the showings less disruptive for the kids, RealtyBizNews’s Regina Gables suggests creating a schedule for them as well as your Realtor so that special instructions can be placed in the listing verbiage. For example, buyers who want to see your home 5:00 p.m. on weekdays are welcome on Wednesday and Friday nights, when you will plan to be gone with the kids until 8:00 p.m. Plan fun (or delicious) activities on those nights if a showing is planned, but engage the kids in the preparation for the showing as a way of “earning” the movie, the ice cream, or the trip to Chuck E. Cheese. As for open houses, plan something that will keep them occupied for hours, visit family members, or just arrange play dates for them.
Source: RealtyBizNews, TBWS
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