For anyone selling a house, there can be challenges. Whether those are based on time, finances, or something else, they can be significant. You need to determine how best to handle those issues, based on what they actually are. When you have young children and you both work, trying to decide how to sell your house can present issues that are even more complex than what would normally come with selling a home. Fortunately, you have options. By making some important choices and considering your options, you can find ways to sell your home even if you both work and have young children to care for.
Can either of you change your work schedule?
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While it’s not possible for everyone, you may be able to change your work schedule. Some companies are more flexible with hours, as long as you put in a set number of hours or complete certain tasks. If you can change your hours, you may not see your partner quite as often but you’ll have the opportunity for one of you to be home more often. Your buyers may work and have children, as well, helping them understand your schedule and needs. As long as you’re willing to work with the buyers, most of them will be willing to work with you. Even if you aren’t able to adjust your schedule, there will still be good times to show your home.
Can anyone watch your children on short notice?
Having young children running around a house when buyers are pulling up in the driveway isn’t a good idea. It can also be difficult to watch your children if you’re holding an open house. If there are grandparents or other relatives who live close by and can watch your kids, that can make any open house or showing easier. Trusted friends who live in the neighborhood would also be a good choice. When you have someone who can keep an eye on your children for a few hours, you can schedule showings during that time or hold a big open house, and that can mean a higher chance for a sale that you might not otherwise see.
Should you plan an open house on a weekend?
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Most people who hold an open house choose to hold it on the weekend. That means more chances for people to come through, since fewer people work during those days. If you have a Monday-Friday job and can find someone to keep an eye on your kids for a little while over the weekend, that can be an excellent time to have an open house. Even a few hours each day, for two weekend days, can mean a large number of buyers coming through your house. You may be tired and wanting to relax on the weekend, but getting your house sold so you can move on is definitely important.
When you decide you’re going to have a weekend open house, you really want to advertise. If people don’t know that your open house is available, you aren’t going to get the number of buyers you had hoped for. Some people may stop because they are driving by and see your signs, but you don’t want to rely on that. You also want to make sure that all of your children’s toys and other items are picked up before the designated time. That’s true in the house, and also in the yard. Even if your potential buyers have kids, too many toys around can turn buyers away because they see them as mess and clutter.
Is a lockbox the right choice for your home sale?
Many people who are trying to sell their homes use a lockbox. That allows real estate agents to show the home when you’re not there. While the idea of people in your home when you’re gone may not appeal to you, you also don’t want to restrict buyers to very limited hours where they can come see your house. If you require a lot of notice for a showing, or you insist on being there for each showing, that can quickly turn buyers away. Agents may also take buyers to other houses, because those houses are easier to show. By keeping your home clean and allowing for a lockbox so it can be shown while you work, more buyers will be interested in seeing what your house has to offer.
How soon can your home be ready to show?
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A home with young children can get messy fast, but there are some options to consider that can help you keep your home ready to show. By packing up a lot of things before listing your home, for example, you can keep it neater and be able to show it on shorter notice. Then you have a higher opportunity to sell your home more easily. Let your children keep a few toys out to play with, and pack up the rest for the upcoming move. While it may be a while before your home sells, making things neater and cleaner is very important. So is showing your home on short notice. The longer you make buyers wait to see your house, the higher the chance that they will look for a different house or find something else they want to buy before they ever even see yours. Letting people see your home on short notice can help avoid that, and make it faster and easier to sell your home and get on with your busy life.
