How
To Make Your Move Easier on Your Family
People generally
have two kinds of needs during a home purchase. First are the transactional
needs, such as searching for a home, obtaining financing, negotiating the
terms of purchase, completing paperwork and legal documents, and arranging
the move. The second are emotional needs that are involved in a home purchase,
which can be where the most stress occurs in a home purchase. The following
are just a handful of tips to help you and your family ease the stress
of moving.
-
Prepare your
children
Although you
may have lived in your current residence for just a few years, the same
few years can be half the lifetime of a seven- or eight-year-old, and can
include all the years he or she can remember. Your current residence may
be the only home your children have ever known, where they feel safe and
comfortable. It may be the center of your childrens' world.
Be sure to announce
the move in a completely positive way. You might talk about how beautiful
the neighborhood is and how good the schools are. Bring your children to
the new house, if you live close enough that it is possible to do so. Otherwise,
positively describe the new house. Find out what your children's favorite
things are in your current home, and then try to re-create them in the
new home. Keep your children actively involved in the process. For instance,
don't just promise that they can decorate their new rooms, but take them
shopping for paint, bedspreads, carpets, and other items that will make
the experience more fun and comforting.
Your children
are bound to have worries, fears, and sorrows during the move. They may
be moving away from friends and family they have known their whole lives.
Find ways to make parting pleasant. You can plan a going-away party and
let your children invite their own guests. Take pictures of everyone and
create a photo album. If your children are old enough, allow them to take
pictures of the neighborhood that they will want to remember.
-
Gain knowledge
You may feel
a sense of being out of control, as though other parties to the purchase
transaction are running the show and you're merely getting in their way.
Your mortgage company, the appraiser, the inspector, and the seller all
have certain powers to approve or disapprove of your overall plan to purchase
this home and move successfully. This is certainly not easy!
Although this
can feel stressful, one of the best things you can do for your own peace
of mind is to understand as much of the purchase process as possible. Your
Realtor® will be able to prepare you for unknowns ahead of time and
tie down loose ends as soon as possible.
-
Trust the process
There can be
so much to do that it's easy to panic. It may feel like you're taking a
big risk, but the truth is that you're initiating a big opportunity for
you and your family. Even though you can't predict what will happen every
step of the way, your Realtor® helps people buy and sell homes as a
profession! Your Realtor® has been there before and understands that
this is a major upheaval in your life. Trust that your Realtor® is
looking out for you on your way to a successful closing and move.
-
Be flexible
Knowing
that your Realtor® will do everything possible to prepare you for the
various processes involved in your home purchase, and will tie up those
loose ends quickly and efficiently, it's important for you to remember
that there is no such thing as a perfect world. The property inspection
may reveal areas of concern, or closing may be delayed for some reason.
Try to take a deep breath and be flexible in your thinking. You will have
a much greater chance of making your decisions based on logic and not high
emotion.
-
Seek entertainment
Whenever
you feel that things are spinning out of control, find a diversion! Take
a walk around your new neighborhood, go on a day trip out of town with
your family, or take your family to a movie. Whatever diversion or outlet
works best for you, this is a good time to engage in it! Remember to take
one "move" at a time.
