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.
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