First-time parents: congratulations! It’s all very exciting! But are you also selling your house and moving into a new one? We understand the need for more space, and a better layout, a better neighborhood, a better yard – but oh my goodness you’ve got some work ahead of you.
Some of the most common challenges new parents face come with selling, buying, and moving into a new home. As long as you plan ahead, you can reduce stress and make the most of this special moment in your life. These resources can help you get started!
First Up: Selling Your Home
Unless you’re independently wealthy or know something the rest of us don’t, you’ll need to get an offer on your current home before you can finalize the sale of the one you want to buy. Here are some tips:
- Work with a trusted real estate agent who can guide you through the process of putting the home on the market, attracting buyers, and closing the sale.
- Declutter and deep clean the home from top to bottom; leave no stone unturned!
- Rent a temporary storage unit to move out anything in the home that isn’t being used for staging or that isn’t essential to daily living.
- Stage your home for sale and make any improvements necessary to make your property appealing to buyers.
- When you’ve got a big day ahead of you, like a home-improvement DIY, seek out professional babysitters who can be available in a pinch.
Buying the Right Home and Home Warranty
Finding a buyer can be quick, or it can take time, but home shopping can be rife with obstacles. Here are a few tips to help out:
- Get pre-approved for a mortgage to see how much house you can afford.
- Research the housing market to compare prices and features of homes in desirable areas, and consider visiting several different neighborhoods in person.
- Create a home-buying budget, gather resources for a down payment, and look into the different loan options.
- Have your own home inspection conducted before buying any property.
- You’ll cover all your bases when buying a home warranty after closing, which will reduce risks associated with unforeseen breakdowns of home systems like the HVAC and plumbing as well as major appliances.
The Moving Process
You’ve bought a new home! Now it’s time to prepare for the big move.
- Start planning the logistics of your move as early as possible to allow time for unexpected issues.
- Hire moving services to do the heavy lifting (literally!) so that you can focus on other aspects of your relocation.
- Pack a little bit each day, and keep all of your boxes organized and labeled for easy unpacking.
Try not to become overwhelmed. There’s a lot that has to fall into place before this can all happen. But when it’s all over, and you have successfully navigated the challenges of selling, buying, and moving into a home – with a new child no less – then the rewards will be that much more fulfilling. You’ve got a baby and a new home. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Find more at https://www.eldersday.org/
