House Hunting with Children

Searching for a new home can a very exciting time in a family’s life and including your children in the process is very important. Nearly 17 percent of Americans move homes every year. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that of that 17 percent, 13 million children are among those who are moving. Whether you are moving down the street or across the country it can be stressful for your little ones. Including them in the new home search may help to alleviate any anxiety they might have but you need to make sure that you have a plan in tact before starting the house hunt.

Make Safety a Priority

If you have teens or even tweens they are able to detect unsafe situations much easier than a toddler or young child. It is important to know how your kid behaves when in unfamiliar surroundings. When taking your children to look at a home make sure that they are aware of any dangers within the home. If they are not, it is important that you keep them by your side. There may be a loose handrail along the stairs or steps that are steeper than normal which could cause accidents. If your little one is an explorer it may be best to find a sitter while you search to avoid any such accidents.

Think ‘Outside the House’ 

For many children, moving can be a very anxious time. They are uprooting their lives, leaving their friends, their school, and any extracurricular activities that they may be involved in. You want to make sure your kids can see what the new surroundings could provide for them. Work with your realtor to ensure that the house hunt includes stops at local parks, schools, churches, dance studios, sports fields, playgrounds, and any other fun places the kids might love. They will feel more at ease if you are able to show them what cool places the new town or city has to offer. Go as far as showing the teens just how close a local mall is in the area!

Know the Attention Span of Your Kids 

A child’s age is a big determining factor when it comes to how long they can stay focused during the house hunt. Some kids will last for a full day of showings while others may have a melt down after one or two. If you have a child who tends to get bored easily and begins to fuss, make a plan for them along the way. For instance, plan with your realtor a time in the day to take a break and stop for lunch or a snack and even some play time at a local park. Bring along a tablet or books for when they get bored or fussy. It gives them something to do and buys you, the house hunter, a little more time.

Give your Child a ‘Job’ while House Hunting

If you want to help your kids adjust to the idea of moving give them something to look forward to or focus on what lies ahead. For instance, give your older kids the task of researching the town you are considering moving to. Who founded it? What is the population size? What fun festivals or events do they host? Ask your younger kids to make collages out of old magazines of things they might like to see in their new home such as decorations and house features. If  you are going out and taking tours of homes ask your children to snap pictures for you or make a checklist of things they would like in the home and then compare that with the home  you are looking at. This will help the kids feel like they have a part in this exciting process.

Value their Opinion but Remind Them Who Makes the Final Decision

You want your kids to be just as happy as you are when you finally find the perfect home but it is very important to make sure that they know the final decision ultimately comes from you. Children can sometimes “hate” every house they see simply because they are more upset with leaving their old home with the friends, and school they are leaving behind. You want to make sure that you don’t base your decision simply on whether they like it or not. Let them know that you understand that change can be difficult and that you value their opinion but in the end the purchasing decisions have to be made by the adults.

If you are able to include your children in on this exciting time they are more likely to adapt to the idea of changing homes and will most likely end up loving the home you choose just as much as you do.