House hunting with kids isn’t an impossible task. Provided that you’re well prepared, choosing a new property to buy can be a fun activity to do together as a family. Here are some tips to help you to keep the kids entertained and involved, and their boredom in check.
So, your family is growing, and you need to upsize? Preparing to move to a new house can be confusing and stressful for kids, especially if the move means that they’ll be changing schools and moving away from family and friends. Getting your kids involved in house hunting can be a great way to get them excited about the idea of relocating and can help them feel that their opinion matters. However, a day of property inspections with your little ones in tow can be a daunting prospect.
With some careful planning and preparation, you can enjoy a successful day of house hunting with your kids. Here are some helpful tips to make finding your new home an enjoyable family task.
Keep your visits quick and respectful
It may be your home in months to come, but not yet. It’s important to ensure that your kids are respectful of being in someone else’s home by:
- Keeping food outdoors (and taking any rubbish with you);
- Using bathroom facilities at a nearby park or cafe – not at the house you are viewing;
- Keeping your children nearby at all times;
- Not allowing them to rifle through the drawers and cupboards; and
- Keep them off the furniture.
While bringing a pram or stroller into an open house might not be an option, you might consider a carrier for babies and toddlers to keep them off the floor while still having your hands free to explore.
And don’t forget – they’re still kids, no matter how well mannered. Keep your visits as short as possible and try to keep them busy by giving them a task.
Put them to work
Keep your kids busy by giving them an important job to do. Ask older children to go on google in the car rides between properties to research nearby schools, parks and attractions you could visit once you move. For younger children, give them a notepad and pencil to:
- Keep a tally of the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in any given house;
- Keep score of who likes which house; and
- Create a list of must-have features in a home and let them tick each one off.
Not only will giving the kids a job distract them from getting bored, but it’s also a great way to include them in the house hunting process and make them feel as though they are playing an important part in finding the perfect new house.
Bring a camera
This is another job you can give to older children because no matter how well prepared you are, you’ll no doubt encounter many distractions when house hunting with your kids and may miss or forget some things. Bring a camera along and take plenty of photos of each property. Then, you can go through them together as a family and discuss each property in detail.
Just don’t forget to take a photo of the letterbox or information leaflet first so you don’t forget which property is which!
Overpack
If there’s even the slightest chance your kids will need it, bring it! Be sure to pack everything your little ones need, from extra clothing to toys to snacks. This is not the day to be too picky about keeping screen time to a minimum, so bring along the iPad as well.
Kids will inevitably get bored of a full day of house hunting, so this might be a good day to gift them a few new toys, books, or games to keep them occupied.
Bring a friend
If any of your friends or family members owe you a favour, this is the day to cash it in. Having an extra pair of adult hands can give you the opportunity to focus on the houses while they distract the children. Better still, if your kids get particularly frustrated throughout the day, your friend can watch them as they run around the backyard of the house you are viewing so that you can take the time you need to inspect the interior.
And if your kids fall asleep in between properties, a friend can stay in the car and supervise them rather than you having to drag them out or miss out on seeing the house entirely.
Be realistic
You might have come up with the perfect house hunting itinerary, but when you’re house hunting with kids, you have to be realistic. Things happen. You may need to make unscheduled stops to change nappies or buy food, or someone may have a meltdown if they reach their breaking point (hey, it might even be you!).
Whatever the case, you won’t get far with tired and cranky kids in tow. You know better than anyone that things never happen according to plan when there are kids involved, so be sure to plan for more than one house-hunting day in case you miss a few properties.
Pick up a Section 32 at each property
Section 32 is the legal document that will provide you with the details about the properties you are inspecting – details that you will need to know and understand before signing a contract. This is the document that can answer any questions you may have:
- The state of the property;
- Any tenancy agreements the property comes with; or
- Any encumbrances or easements that may affect your plans for the property.
By picking up a Section 32 at each property, you’ll have all the information you need at your fingertips when the kids have gone to bed, and you have the time to contemplate which house will be your new home.
Before placing an offer on a property, always have a property conveyancer look over Section 32 and sale documents to ensure you understand all the legalities. Click here for more information about Jim’s Property Conveyancing in Melbourne, or here for information about Jim’s Property Conveyancing in Brisbane. Or for expert advice on property conveyancing services in Australia, please contact our friendly and experienced staff on 13 15 46.