Moving to a new home is an exciting time for your family. When choosing that home, you want to ensure that the needs of all your family members will be met. This can be an excellent time to involve your children in a major decision because they will be living in the home too and should have their needs and wants considered. Here’s how to get them involved.
Ask Them What They Want
One of the simplest and most effective ways to get your children involved in choosing a home is simply to ask them what they want. They may be interested in certain amenities nearby, such as parks or community sports fields, for example. Your kids might like a certain city or neighborhood. If you have a lot of little kids, they may want a bigger backyard or not care what size the yard is. Their criteria can help you narrow down the features you do or do not want in a new home. Reach out to a good real estate agent to find the exact fit for your whole family.
Stay Nearby
If you are not planning to move very far away anyway, you may wish to only look at homes that are still within your child’s school district. Your child likely has friends at school and may not want to switch to a different school district, especially in the middle of a school year. If you have to move away, be looking at homes near good schools so your children will get an excellent education.
Let Them See the House
It can be difficult to take children, especially if they are younger, to open houses and home showings. You don’t want them to cause a scene or destroy anything. However, this is one of the best ways to get your kids’ input on a house you are considering purchasing. For teenagers, taking them along is considerably easier. If you feel your children are up to it, have them come along with you to look at some homes. Don’t take them to every house—only to the ones you are seriously considering to see how your kids feel about them.
Ask them to Do Some Research
Your kids may be more tech-savvy than you are anyway, so if they are already old enough to be using the Internet on their own, ask them to poke around and see what homes might be for sale that catches their eye. They may discover homes that have just come on the market that you were unaware of. They also might be able to find some important information or tips on buying a home that could help you out. Asking your child to do some research can get them involved and be helpful at the same time.
By taking the time to ask some questions and consider the feelings of your children, you can find a home that meets everyone’s needs. Include your kids in your quest to find a new home. They will be grateful you took their opinions into consideration, even if they didn’t seem so grateful at the time.
