Kids sure do add a special kind of flair and homeliness to a place. But when you are trying to sell a house, they can make the entire process more difficult.
If you have to chase kids around, getting off those tiny fingerprints on freshly cleaned windows before house showings, it can feel like you are living in a circus. But there are ways to survive the mad race or just reach out to those companies that advertise themselves, like, ‘We buy houses in Kansas City,’ for instance.
Here’s how to survive while selling your house with kids:
Take Decluttering Seriously
If you have lived in your home for many years, chances are high that you have collected lots of things over that span of time. When you add kids to the picture, you can only imagine the volume of items you have.
Toys, books, clothes – they seem to multiply overnight when you have kids. Plus, it’s hard to let go of things because of the memories and nostalgia associated with their younger years. But as you plan to sell your house, decluttering toys and having fewer of these items is key. Prospective buyers love to see clean, open spaces. It is easy for them to picture themselves in a home when it isn’t overcrowded with someone else’s stuff and memories.
Sadly, Legos and different toys littered around the house do not exactly scream ‘buy me’. You’ll need to set up a system where each room has a storage bin (or several) to keep things tidy. When it is time for a showing, toss in any rogue toys, books, or shoes into the bin. It makes cleaning faster.
Additionally, you can keep only a few items that can be used within the next 2 to 3 months in the house. This effectively reduces clutter while you still get all the essentials you need.
Prepare a Survival Kit and a Checklist
The bane of every parent’s existence – impromptu showings. Selling your house means you will get a lot of last-minute showings. This can send you into panic cleaning mode fast. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Prepare ahead of time for moments like this. Keep a ready-to-go bag with everything the kids will need for a couple hours outside the house while your realtor shows the home to prospective buyers. Don’t forget to include snacks and drinks in case they’re hungry, as well as coloring books and toys to keep them occupied.
When a last-minute showing strikes, grab the bag, gather the kids, and head to the nearest park or coffee shop.
Another thing you can do to make those last-minute showings easier is to create a checklist of everything you need to organize or speed clean for a showing. Then, run through your list, grab your go-bag, and head out the door.
Get the Kids Involved
When you get a showing notice, cleaning and getting the house ready on such notice can be quite a task. However, you can get your kids involved in the process. Give them small tasks like wiping down surfaces or putting toys away.
Maybe one child picks up toys, another wipes down surfaces, and you vacuum away. You will be surprised at how much you can accomplish with a team effort.
Making your kids feel like part of the process not only keeps them occupied but also makes them feel like they have some control over the chaos. They will be less likely to undo everything you have cleaned when they have helped “stage” the house themselves.
Have a Showing Schedule (and Stick to It)
While impromptu showings are inevitable, having a set schedule with your realtor can be a lifesaver. It saves you a lot of stress and running around.
Try to arrange specific times, like afternoons when the kids are at school or weekends when you can plan activities. This gives you a better chance to get the house in showing condition. At the same time, it removes the stress of unexpected disruptions to nap time or snack time.
Temporary “Kid-Free Zones” or Locked-Up Spaces
Desperate times call for desperate measures. You can mark a few “kid-free zones” in the house. These are areas that must remain untouched by your kids.
This includes your bedroom or the fancy living room with the white couch. These zones are off-limits for playing, snacking, and general child mayhem. You can also lock these rooms if they are places you don’t use often.
Think of them as your backup plan. When buyers come through, you will have at least a few rooms that are sparkling and orderly, and you won’t need to worry about last-minute cleaning.
Lower Your Expectations and Be Mentally Prepared
If you have young kids, your house may not look like it belongs in a glossy magazine. That’s okay, too. Selling a home with little ones underfoot isn’t about perfection, it’s about survival. So cut yourself some slack.
The occasional fingerprint on the fridge or rogue toy won’t be the end of the world. Buyers with kids will understand. It helps to prepare yourself mentally for what lies ahead.
Depending on what qualities your house has, it may take too little or a longer time for your house to be sold. This can be anything between 15 days to a couple of months. So, you need to be prepared to leave the house with your kids as often as is needed within this period.
Selling your home and moving with kids, when you follow these tips, is completely manageable. Good luck with the sale and finding your new home!