Selling Your Home with Little Kids

So you’re selling your home…with little ones running around! Talk about double stress! As parents, we just need to adapt as we go, and this is no different, here are a few tips to make things a little more manageable during this exciting yet demanding time.

1: Keeping the home clean (as much as possible)

Keeping the house clean is a daily challenge at any home with little ones, this takes on a new importance when you’re trying to present your home in the best light to potential buyers. First, put away as much of the kids’ toys in storage as possible, and organize the remaining items neatly in baskets, boxes and bins. Donate or give away clothes that no longer fit. Arrange to have other friends or families with young kids to pick up a few items to use during the listing period. Remove some of the wall decorations and stickers to depersonalize the kids’ rooms. Also, plan to order out or eat out the night before the open house days so you don’t have to clean up the kitchen last minute.

2: Have plans for the initial open house weekend

This is the perfect time for that little get-away weekend you have been talking about! Take the kids and pack up and head out, leave the showing details to your agent.

3: Communicating with your agent (always)

Things can change fast with little ones, make sure you communicate with your agents. If certain times are off-limits, vocalize that. Ask for notice prior to any drop-in viewing if you are comfortable with drop-in viewing. Consider setting up a dedicated evening time during the week for additional showing in addition to the weekend, so you can give your property more exposure and limit the need for drop-in viewing.

4: Have childcare ready at short notice

If you have a regular nanny or babysitter, let him/her know you may need their service on shorter notice during the weeks of the listing. If you have family close by, recruit them to help you too. More help the better!

5: Talking to your kids that you’ll be moving to a new home soon.

Kids are incredibly intuitive, they know that a big change is about to happen when you start to clean up the house and pack things away. Talk to them about moving to a new home, talk to them about the new city/neighborhood and new home if you know where you’re moving to. If you’re searching for a new home the same time you’re selling your home, involve them in the search process and get them excited about the move instead of dreading it.

Remember to take things lightly – and if you have doubts whether selling with little ones is a good idea .