House hunting is mainly an adult activity, but there are times when you need or want to involve your children. House hunters need to pay attention to the property to get the details of the home in their mind. Children can be a distraction, sometimes. Children’s needs can also be a factor in the buying decision.
In every case, it is easier to include children when there are more adults who can pay attention to their experience. If you are house hunting with children, it is better to have two adults, plus your agent, available to attend to the child while attending to the house.
Infants
Weekend open houses sometimes coincide with nap time. If that is way your baby sleeps, one adult can stay in the car or move the car seat indoors while the other views the house. Then switch off, so that both adults see the house.
There is nothing wrong with bringing your baby to an open house. Some babies are very happy being carried through a house. There is a lot to look at, for them. Other house hunters and the seller’s agent are likely to make a fuss about your happy, beautiful child. You know how people fawn over babies!
Toddlers
Toddlers and preschool aged children are the hardest children to bring to an open house. They require constant attention and are likely to resist being carried. Every parent knows that there are thousands of ways to get into something that is fragile or dangerous in any room.
If you are traveling with a young child, having a designated adult to keep an eye on the child is a must. Even in an empty house, a child that age will find a way to play – hide and seek in the closet, perhaps?
In nice weather, one adult can entertain the child outside. Bring portable toys that are easy to keep track of.
Elementary school-aged
Children this age also need one adult keeping an eye on them, just like those a bit younger. They are better at playing on their own. The new wrinkle is that they have opinions to consider. Remember that children this age are concrete thinkers. They will like houses where there are children’s décor and children’s toys. They will dislike homes where there is nothing suited to children. If you are considering a house with adult décor, talk to children that age about which bedroom would be theirs and what decorations they could add to that room.
Some will be upset that the toys in the house are someone else’s and they are not allowed to touch them. Some will be upset that the toys in the house will be gone when they move in. Prepare your youngster for this to minimize the drama.
Tweens and teens
Some children this age may miss house showings, since they have their own social schedules. If so, plan ahead about how you intend to include them in the moving plans.
With children this age, you do not need to worry about them hurting themselves or breaking something. Their ability to imagine living in a house is developing or has developed.
Discuss not only the physical house and their bedroom but remind them of the activities that will be available within the house and yard. Children this age are increasingly driven by access to their peers. Keep that in mind when discussing the new house or neighborhood with your children. Particularly, long-distance relocation is hard on this age group. Give children this age information about community activities that are like what they are used to.
How your agent is an ally
When you interview your exclusive buyer’s agent, find out what they recommend for house hunting with children like yours. By asking the question, you will find out how much they think about children and the needs of your whole family.