Whatever your reasons for leaving, selling your home is never easy.
You’re likely feeling mixed emotions, torn between needing to move on and wanting to cling to your memories. You have to navigate the complex real estate market and hope for a quick sale at a reasonable price.
On top of the usual concerns, you have your kids to think about, too. Children of any age will struggle with this new phase.
How can you navigate this process while keeping your sanity and kids’ mental health in check? These tips will make selling your home less scary, helping you get from “For Sale” to “Sold” as painlessly as possible.
Photo by Tierra Mallorca on Unsplash
Table of Contents
Commit to Your “Why”
Before getting the kids on board with your decision to move, you must feel firm in your reasons for selling.
Why is this move necessary?
Why is it the best option for your family?
Everyone’s motives will differ and there’s no wrong answer. You may need the money or more space. You might be relocating for work or a better school district.
Whatever your reasons, you must wholeheartedly commit to them. This process will test you in every way. You’ll need your resolve to move forward with less fear.
Be Honest With Your Kids
Many parents’ temptation is to hold off telling their kids about selling the house until everything is finalized. The hope is to spare their feelings and put off their sadness or anger.
However, your kids deserve the same amount of time as you to deal with their strong emotions. They should be able to enjoy their last weeks or months in the house and prepare to move on.
Besides, hiding things from your children never ends well — they’ll find out somehow and be hurt you weren’t upfront with them. Use this time to bond and create new memories to take with you.
Hire a Real Estate Agent Early
Typically, homeowners have advance notice when they want to sell their home. Hire a realtor as early in the process as possible.
If you wait until a few weeks before your move, the likelihood of getting your house listed and sold in time is low.
Work with a realtor to get the house staged, photographed and online a few months before your big move.
Doing so will give prospective buyers time to see your home, secure financing and make an offer.
Sell It As-Is
The home selling process takes far longer than you think, with multiple rounds of inspections, offers, counteroffers, requests to make repairs and financing navigation.
Each step of the process is full of potential pitfalls and holdups.
If you’re willing to sell your home for less to get money faster or to move on quicker, you can sell your home as-is.
You get a pre-inspection to be upfront with potential buyers about the state of your house. After that, there’s less negotiating and no repairs you need to worry about. These homes typically move quickly because they’re priced below market value.
Skip Expensive Renovations
Now isn’t the time to undertake expensive and extensive home renovations. Selling your house with tools and sawdust everywhere would be extremely challenging.
Plus, most costly upgrades won’t bring you enough resale value to make the investment worth it.
Instead, stick to minor changes like swapping out a light fixture, manicuring your lawn and painting your interior with neutral colors.
Do a Thorough Declutter
No matter how old your kids are, you’re probably drowning in clutter.
Gear, toys and clothes stack up into what feels like an impossible amount. Most days, you can ignore it and pretend the piles aren’t there.
However, you now have to worry about packing it up to move the new house and keep it clean in the meantime so you can show your home to potential buyers.
Your best bet is to do a thorough declutter. Work with your kids to let go of toys they no longer play with. You’ll also need to part with possessions you can live without. The more you can get rid of, the less you have to pack and move.
Plus, your buyers will be far more interested in a tidy, uncluttered home — to the tune of a 432% return on investment for decluttering alone.
Use Your Village
Selling your home on your own is a daunting task, so lean on your village. Ask your extended family to help you deep clean the house before taking listing photos.
Get your kids’ favorite babysitter to take them out during showings so they have something exciting to do.
Plan tasks each person in your home can take on to prepare the house on short notice.
Your village can also include professional help, like a therapist for you and the kids, or a professional cleaner to help you.
Make Time to Unwind
It’s easy to panic when selling your home as you worry over every little detail. Take a moment to breathe.
Tuck the kids in for bed, then order a nice meal, watch your favorite show and take a relaxing bubble bath. It’s essential to take time as a couple and to partake in self-care.
Also, make room for family bonding. Once a week, set aside one night with no showings, cleaning or house talk. Order a pizza and pop in a movie or play games.
These family ties will carry you through the move to your new home.
Look to the Future
The best thing you can do for yourself and your family right now is to get excited about the future. Letting go of your old home is a lot easier when focusing on the potential of your new one.
Start planning projects together and picking paint colors for your kids’ bedrooms.
Sign them up for activities they love in the new neighborhood.
Explore other opportunities the new location may offer, like a delicious pizzeria or a fantastic movie theater. Keep looking forward and the process will become less scary.
