5 TIPS FOR
HOUSE HUNTING WITH KIDS
House
hunting when there are kids involved can be little difficult but if done with
extra consciousness and a little planning, it can turn out to be easy.
Whether you
are just moving across a block, or to a new province, moves along with house
hunting are very stressful especially for families with kids. Including your children
in your home search may help alleviate some anxiety, but you need to do all
this by making a plan and following it. It would be better to sort some of your
options – online or in person – instead of dragging the kids to all 83
properties for sale in your price range.
Here the tips.
Enjoy!!!
· SAFETY COMES FIRST
When it comes to teens it is easy for them to make their way through the
house hunting process but for toddlers and infants it is another story.
As parents we need to keep in mind how our child/children will behave in
unfamiliar surroundings. It should be kept in mind that by no chance a child
should get hurt. If your children are inquisitive in nature and like to go by
themselves to explore from opening doors to drawers, it might be the best idea
for their own safety to keep them with their grandparents or nanny because you
never know they might in a flash of second run down a staircase with no
railings and get hurt.
·
THINK BEYOND THE HOUSE
For children moving can be a very anxious time. They have to
leave their school, friends, and their extracurricular activities.It is best to work with your real estate agent to ensure your
new house hunt includes stops at area parks, schools, dance studios, and sports
fields. Or you can also plan a side trip that allows your children to see and
explore their new community before moving in.
·
KNOW YOUR CHILD’S LIMIT
Every child is different. While some children might be able
to stay for the entire showing while some might get bored in an hour or so. Who
better knows his child than their own parents? If you know your child will
require breaks along the way, plan it accordingly. Make sure you communicate
with your agent that after seeing say 2 houses you would require a 15 min.
break to play in a park or snack break.
·
GIVE YOUR CHILD SOME ROLE WHILE YOU
GO HOUSE HUNTING
While you go look for houses, make sure you leave your child
home with some sort of job/duty/role related to house hunting. While older
children can do some research on the location you are moving to on the
internet, younger children can cut pictures from old magazines and make collage
of the things they would like in their new house.
As you’re actually touring homes, ask your children to take
photos or, perhaps, they could keep a checklist noting the best features of
each house you visit. These simple tasks will help children feel more connected
to the process.
·
DON’T LET YOUR CHILD THINK HE IS IN
CHARGE
It is extremely important to make your child feel involved in
the entire house hunting and moving process but it is also crucial to note that
in no way should the child start to feel that he/she is in charge. It should be
always made clear to them that the parents are in charge and only they will
take the final decision.
Editor: Neha Charan
As people settled in the newly surveyed Township of Markham, villages began to develop. In 1805, the north-east corner of Highway 48 and Highway 7 was sold to Joseph Reesor, one of a large number of Pennsylvania-Germans who were to make this area their home. Originally called Reesorville, the ‘corner’ was renamed the village of Markham and grew in size and status to eventually become a unique and vibrant community within the modern City of Markham. Markham road is the hub of activity for all, a bustling street with a blend of businesses and services.
