Shopping for a new home is exciting. You start to imagine fresh paint colors, a backyard big enough for family summer evenings, and maybe an open kitchen you’ve always dreamed of, but if you’ve got kids in tow, it can feel a little stressful and the excitement comes later.
Demands for snacks, meltdowns happen, and suddenly the open house doesn’t feel so open.
Still, families put it off every day. The key is knowing what you’re up against and finding ways to balance your children’s needs with your own:
The Chaos of House-Hunting When Little Ones Are Tagging Along
Walking into a home when you have toddlers or younger kids with you can feel very chaotic; they are curious about everything from the doorbell to the fridge to the cupboard that sits under the stairs, while you’re trying to have a look around and decide whether the home is right for you or if you have enough space for your family. Your kids are asking for snacks or arguing over who gets to have which room or who can get up the stairs first.
The reality is that children don’t care about the house that you are looking at or the school district ratings. What they care about is what’s directly in front of them.
Sometimes that means pointing out things like the color of the carpet or the times they might be lying on the floor in protest because they are tired of looking at so many houses. Parents often find themselves negotiating with things like snacks in one hand and then trying to look around the house with the other.
Instead of fighting it, it helps to have a plan. When you go looking at houses, visits will go much more smoothly if you start to plan them after naps or after your kids have eaten.
Shorter viewing sessions work better, too. Rather than viewing loads of houses in one day, try just visiting one or two. If you can, have two adults go so that you are able to have one adult keep an eye on the kids outside while the other one is able to explore the final details. It’s not a flawless plan, but it does help to keep the experience more manageable.
Why Family Needs Often Clash With Dream-Home Fantasies
The first time that you have a look through listings, it’s very easy to get swept up in daydreams. You start picturing yourself sipping coffee in a nice modern home or even hosting gatherings in a historic home with character, but the reality will soon start setting in that those fantasies usually have a bit of a collision with what your family actually needs from a home.
A stylish townhouse in the city might have fit your vision. However, it might not have the yard space that you need to make it perfect for your kids. A charming older home may have beautiful details, but the steep stairs and small closets quickly turn into problems for your family. Parents start to realize that the perfect photo and listing do not necessarily mean that it is a livable space for family life.
This is where it helps to start by breaking down what you actually want versus what you need. A safe neighborhood, a manageable commute, and enough bedrooms for everyone usually outweigh having fancy finishes or designs.
Families who skip this step often find themselves falling in love with a property that doesn’t actually work for their everyday life. You need to try to avoid this by having a clear list of what you want and what you need.
If you are in this position, you know you’re not alone. Many parents face a decision between what is good for the family and what they actually want in a house.
This is where professional guidance can help save them time and stress. An experienced agent can find out the homes that aren’t going to be realistic and identify ones that are going to suit what you feel and need right now. If you want to learn more about finding homes that fit your lifestyle, get in touch with a real estate agent.
What Kids Really Notice When Touring Homes
Parents may look at the actual structural details of a home, but this is not something that children care about. They will see that things are about to change in a big way; they might notice things like bright colored walls or that the wallpaper in their bedroom isn’t going to be what they want. Even seeing a large garden could be a deciding factor for children.
This perspective can feel a little bit frustrating when you’re trying to make a serious decision, but it can also be useful to find out what your kids think about that potential home.
They want to feel included, so giving them small ways to express their opinions and feel part of the decision can really help house hunting feel better. It doesn’t mean that they should be choosing the house, but let them imagine which bedroom could be theirs or ask them to pick out paint colors. It gives them a little bit of ownership and eases the move.
The Hidden Stress Parents Don’t Talk About
The visible chaos of house hunting with kids is only part of the story; there is also the hidden stress that parents carry during this time. They are trying to balance a budget, worrying about getting a mortgage approved, and they are also checking things like looking at the schools in the area.
On top of this, they have to make sure that they are keeping the kids entertained while they are house hunting. Parents may even feel and fear that they are making the wrong choice. The thought of settling into a house and realizing it doesn’t truly work can cause stress that they don’t need. Talking to an agent and getting them to help narrow down your choices can really help in this situation.
Conclusion
House hunting with kids can be messy, noisy, and exhausting, but as long as you know what you are getting into, it should be something that turns into a fun and exciting time.
When you have a bit of patience, know exactly what your wants and needs are, and let the kids get involved, it can pay off and make it worth it. You’re not just buying a house; you are looking for a home that you can turn into somewhere where your children are going to grow.
