10 Tips for Selling A House While Having Kids

Low interest rates, Covid-related job changes, and prolonged distance learning for children has resulted in many people opting to sell their homes and move to a different one.  Preparing a home for listing and getting through the days or weeks of showings comes with a unique set of challenges for parents.  I should know-- in the past 4 years alone I've done an international move, multiple local moves, and most recently a cross-country move from California to North Carolina -- during the pandemic.  The following are 10 things that have helped with getting our houses sold while having kids in the house.

1. Prepare your mindsets for selling and leaving your home.  

If your kids are 5 or older, they are old enough to understand that from now on, they are going to make some changes to the house to enable other to imagine themselves living there.  Their room will look a little different, but it's all for the end goal.  Remind them that they are an important part of the team and will have things to do to help, and be sure to include them in the celebration when the house sells.

2. Keep out only clothes needed for the current season and toys that can be put away in 1-2 minutes.  

Put boxes or bins neatly in the garage, in extra closet space, or even a small storage unit. UHaul and PODS, among others,  make storage products that you can fill with your belongings that they store until delivering them to your new address.  Don't worry about packing things that are already neatly out of the way, but you can do yourself a favor and pack up those hand-me-downs sitting at the top of the closet that won't be worn for another year, and the frames of family photos sitting around the house.  The more excess stuff you pack (or sell/give away) before selling, the less work you have to do after going under contract.  If you're a family used to mountains of toys, you'll soon be shocked by how easily kids are still entertained with just a handful of favorites and a few books.  Reassure your kids that that will see their toys again after you move.  

3. Create a trade-in program for your kids' old and unloved toys.

Let's face it, kids come with a lot of stuff. They also don't have much control over what happens in their world, especially during a move.  If you want to downsize the toys, consider a bit of a bribe.  If they fill a bag or box of toys they no longer play with, they can pick out a new matchbox car, get money toward a new toy after the move, or whatever other incentive you're comfortable with.  Reminding your kids that these toys can make some other children very happy can help ease their anxiety over letting go of them.  Try not to force it too hard, as this will already be a trying time for many kids.  Sometimes taking a quick photo of the child with the item is enough to reassure them that they won't forget it.  If they do trade in bags for a new toy, take the 10 minutes to look online with them for some ideas. This will help them trust the plan and see where their efforts are going.

4. Start every day prepared to leave for a showing.

Pack the diaper bag or a bag with snacks/water bottles/crayons and paper and have it ready to go.  

If old enough, have kids make their beds and tidy their rooms. (If you've packed away the dozen stuffed animals and extras blankets that usually live on the bed, this is faster.)  Everyone should be dressed for the day with teeth brushed right after breakfast. 

5. Keep mealtime simple.  

Now is not the time for preparing a feast that requires a lot of cleaning afterward.  Embrace the quick and easy and know that your kids will one day eat a variety of vegetables again. (If they ever did!)

6. Have a plan for what to do during showings -- and make sure everyone goes to the bathroom before leaving the house.

Covid has thrown a wrench into the places you can go with kids, with playgrounds and restaurant playplaces not an option in most places, but there are still some things you can do.  Go for a walk in the neighborhood and bring along chalk for kids to write messages to neighbors. Go to a park and take a picnic blanket with you for somewhere to hang out.  In non-Covid times, it's good to have a family member or friend that is okay with you crashing at their house last-minute.  Go to the zoo if you need to be out for most of the day.  Even driving to another town for an ice cream come can kill some time during showings.  But most importantly, make sure everyone goes to the bathroom or gets a new diaper before leaving the house.  There's nothing worse than a child waking up 10 minutes into a needed nap in the car because of their bladder.

7. Be okay with stashing some stuff, but keep most items put away.

The more stuff you have out, the more potential for them to get messy.  If your kids keep just one pair of shoes out by the door, you don't have to put away the others for a showing.

The fewer days/weeks you have to keep your house show-ready, the better, so it's best to accept as many showing requests as possible.  Get in the habit of running the dishwasher at night and unloading in the morning. Kids as young as 4 can sit dishes on the counter even if they can't reach the cabinets. An empty dishwasher makes for a tidier kitchen and an easy place to stick pots and pans that still need scrubbing. 

Keep bathroom vanities cleared off as much as possible.  It take a lot less time to spot clean the sink and mirror when there aren't toothbrush holders and bath toys everywhere.  

8. Require that buyers be pre-approved before touring your home.

Especially if it means interrupting nap time, leaving the house for a showing can be a pain. The least you can do to minimize this is make sure that the people you're leaving for are actually serious buyers.

9. Plan something fun to do with your kids in the new place.

The more you can tell your kids about their new environment, the more secure they will feel.  If you don't have the answer to what their school or room will be like, look up whether their favorite pizza place is in the town and plan to order that on your first night in the new house.  Plan a day trip to an attraction in the new area.  My son once had a birthday right before moving to England and his gift was a trip to LegoLand (Yes, they have them in England too). It gave him something easy to imagine (he loves Legos but had never been to LegoLand), fun to dream about, and actually easily doable from our new home. 

You can also search YouTube for videos about the area or attractions and really paint a picture for what the kids can look forward to.  Knowing what their efforts are going toward will help remind kids why they are helping with the house and/or have change in their home environment.

10. Give yourself some grace.

Though these tips are aimed at getting your home sold more quickly and easily, remember that you are still a parent and have other needs and responsibilities than just selling your house -- you're allowed to say "No" to a showing.  Also, know that there will be days that you'll feel overwhelmed and say "I hate moving" at some point. We all do it.  Remember that one day soon, though, you'll be in your new home and settled, and look over at your family and think, "It was all worth it."

Hopefully you'll be able to say the same for the new grey hairs!