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.
|
