5 Home Buying and Selling Tips for Fathers

Selling or buying a home and parenting through it can be a challenge. Buying or selling a home is a big change and can put a kink in your parenting if you are not careful. Here are five tips for buying and or selling a home and keeping your parenting game strong.

1. Don’t Go It Alone

Do you know what FSBO stands for in the real estate market? FSBO means “for sale by owner”. According to the National Association of Realtors, about 8% of homes in 2020 were FSBO. Selling your home on your own may sound like an attractive deal. However, FSBO includes much work and will take you away from your parenting duties.

According to Homelight, if you choose FSBO, you can expect to sell your home for about 6% less than if you use an agent. Don’t go it alone. Partner with an agent that can do all the work for you so you can stay focused on parenting and other obligations.

Agents can manage all the marketing. They have insider tracks to highly qualified buyers which can help to sell your home faster. They also will manage all the showings of your property so you can stay focused on the important things in life and prepare for your move.

2. Get the Home Inspected Before You Buy

Investing in a home inspection before you buy is one of the best ways to fully understand what you are buying and what repairs you will need to make now and in the future. According to the Statistics Database, about one out of 10 homes have leaky plumbing. A home inspection can reveal problems with plumbing, roofing, HVAC, and more.

Don’t buy a home without having it inspected. Finding out a home needs unexpected repairs can be costly, and it can be an expense you are not prepared for.

3. Make Your Family a Part of the Process

Good parenting starts with good communication skills. Make your kids a part of the buying and selling process by explaining how the process works and how it will affect them. Of course, use age-appropriate language to get the point across. Children do better with a move if they know what to expect.

Helping them navigate this change will ensure a smoother transition. Put a positive spin on the event to help ease their worries. Children rely on their parents for stability. Good parenting means including your children in the plan.

4. Make a Checklist

Lists can be valuable tools when buying or selling a home. For the buyer, the list will keep you focused on the “must haves” and the “wants”. For the seller, the list will keep you focused on what needs to be done before you can sell the home. For all parties, lists can help prepare you for the move.

Lists can also be used to help the kids stay organized and keep a timeline. For example, moving lists can include when they should start packing their stuff (if they are old enough). Stay on track and make a list. Check off the items as you go, and it will help you to see you are making progress.

5. Consider Your Finances

There are a lot of working parts to a move. Whether you are buying or selling a home, it is essential that you keep track of your finances. Selling your home may come with a nice return but that doesn’t mean it is “free” money. Keep track of your spending to ensure that you are making the best financial decisions for your family.

If you are buying a home, be sure you are not putting your family in a position where you will be house rich and struggle with other finances because of it. Parenting requires a great deal of fiscal responsibility.

Buying and/or selling a home can take some effort when you are trying to parent simultaneously. Get more parenting tips for buying and selling a home today.