Whether you’re relocating for work or simply looking for more space, moving is no small task. Between house hunting, selling your home and finally packing for the big day, there’s a lot that goes into a move. If you have a family, navigating this process in a way that works for everyone can seem challenging.
The good news is that with the right foresight, preparation and expert support, moving with your family can be a great success. Here are a few parent-focused tips for moving to a new home.
Think Ahead
Finding a great home for your family is an exciting process. However, there are a few things to consider when you have kids. First and foremost, it’s important to plan ahead. While a home may work for your family today, consider how things will look in a few years. Will your kids each need their own bedroom? Will there be an extra car in the driveway? Could you be welcoming a new child?
Thinking ahead while buying is a great way to ensure you don’t outgrow your new home too quickly and can help you avoid costly renovations or even another move.
A Great Neighbourhood Makes All The Difference
It may sound cliche, but a great home really does extend beyond your front door. The neighbourhood you choose to live in will have a big impact on you and your family. If you’re settling in a big city, you should keep safety in mind when it comes to finding the right area.
Plus, access to good schools, healthcare, parks and recreational facilities are important factors to consider. If your kids are still a few years away from driving, strong transit access will help them stay connected to friends, hobbies and school.
Regardless of whether you’re new to town or moving from nearby, an experienced real estate agent can help you find the best neighbourhood based on your unique needs.
Selling
When it comes to selling your current home, there are a lot of things to prepare for like staging. Staging your home is an important part of the selling process. While your current space may be perfect for your family, optimizing it for your buyer audience will require some tweaks. For instance, you may need to re-paint your children’s bedrooms to a more neutral colour or remove certain toys or furniture. After staging, keeping the house tidy will also be very important. This can seem difficult if you have kids, however, with the right encouragement and communication, it’s totally possible.
As every member of your family will need to be away from home, communication will also be important when it comes to showings. To reduce stress, your real estate agent will help you coordinate showing times and keep all family members in the loop. Showings can also be a great opportunity to enjoy spending time together as a family while you’re out of the house.
Preparation
As with any move, preparing for the big day is essential for ensuring things go smoothly. A great first step is to declutter your home and get rid of anything you don’t plan on bringing with you. Hosting a moving sale is an easy way to clear out any belongings that shouldn’t be thrown away. Alternatively, gently used furniture, appliances and smaller items can be donated to local charities.
If you plan on using professional movers, make reservations well in advance. Booking early can help you hire the best available moving team and avoid paying any last-minute premiums. In addition to movers, buying moving supplies ahead of time can help reduce stress closer to your moving date.
Moving Day
When moving day finally arrives, it will be busy and action-packed. But with the right preparation, you can ensure it goes off without a hitch. Start with strong communication. Hold a family meeting to go over all the details about the day, including when the movers will arrive and who else will be helping. Make your kids feel included in the move by designating small tasks as their responsibility, such as packing up their room or picking snacks for the drive.
Finally, make the journey to your new home as fun as possible. If you’re moving further away, plan a few games to play on your trip. If you have time, take one last drive around the block as a family before heading to your new home.
Ready to begin your move? We can help every step of the way. Contact us at 604-341-9937 or [email protected]