Making The Moving Process A Little Easier On The Whole Family
There ’ s no doubt that things change in a home when it ’ s goes on the market . Those changes can cause stress for the entire family .
Fortunately , there are ways to reduce that stress considerably . With a little bit of planning , you can even make the home selling process a relatively pleasant and even exciting experience for everyone .
The first step is to talk candidly with your family , especially kids , about their feelings and concerns regarding selling your home and moving . Their worries may include :
• Losing connections with friends .
• Finding a new job .
• Starting a new school .
• Disruptions in the home during viewings .
• Work involved in preparing the home for sale . I often get the kids involved & promise an ice cream party when the house goes under contract if they ’ ve helped mom and dad !
• Have a coffee at a local café and read the local bulletin boards to see what ’ s happening in the area .
• Visit the local school or library . Some schools even offer summer camps – what better way for the kids to make friends before school starts !
• Test access to commuting routes to work .
• Check out daycare facilities . They often have open houses .
• Drive to the local shopping center .
• Investigate local features , such as theaters , restaurants , golf courses or farmers markets .
Before you and your family know it , you ’ ll all be looking forward to the new home and those initial concerns will be a thing of the past !
Contributed by Beth Gionis , ProStead Realty , Broker NC / SC , REALTOR™ .
• Keeping the home clean and tidy for viewings .
The more you are aware of how your family feels about the process , the better you can deal with those issues .
Keeping the home clean for viewings and open houses is usually one of the major stressors . It may feel like you ’ re tidying up for a special guest several times a week ! Some solutions worth considering are working with a professional organizer to help with the de-cluttering , donating items to some of the local organizations you ’ ve often meant to support and even hiring a maid service on a short-term basis or just to help with the baseboards , blinds , etc . That help can save you a lot of time and stress , especially if you ’ re also searching for a new home .
During viewings , it ’ s best for you , your family and dogs to be out of the home . So , consider planning little adventures . You can visit a museum , eat at a restaurant you ’ ve wanted to try for months , or take the gang to a recreation center .
You may even want to make discovering some new neighborhoods an adventure . While visiting neighborhoods you think you might want to live :
• Take a walk around the block and say “ hello ” – you will already have friends should you choose to move there .
• Visit the Community Pool and introduce yourself to some folks . With Spring coming , pools will be opening soon .
• Visit a local park or playground . Maybe some folks will happen to live in your new neighborhood of choice !
Parent Teacher Magazine • March / April 2017 • 4