What, might you say, are the two most stressful and intense efforts you could partake in? Some might say having a baby. Another might suggest looking for a new home and moving the anchor of your life to an entirely new place. But what if you were to combine these two things? Does that lead to “stress squared?”
Of course, many people go through this process year on year, and so the entire effort is doable. But when you’re in the midst of it all – trying to find a nice home to live in, negotiating prices, letting new people come and view your household, perhaps multiple times, through open viewings, it can all get a little much. This is a contributed post.
Not to mention the emotions of hoping to uproot your life for somewhere new don’t match so comfortably with the emotional reality of less-than-adequate sleep and the stress of caring for a brand-new human being. If only there were a guide to help you with such an effort.
Thankfully, that’s what we hope to achieve in this post! With the following advice, we hope to help you property hunt, even with a newborn to care for:
Schedule Virtual Tours During Nap Times
When your little one drifts off to sleep (finally), it’s smart to explore potential homes from the comfort of your sofa. Many realtors now offer 3D walkthroughs or live video tours, and while you might schedule certain properties you like to visit later, you will at least do so knowing there’s potential here.
This approach helps you narrow down your options quickly and save time doing so not to mention you won’t have to worry about your baby fussing during an important moment of the tour. It’s a rare win-win situation in house hunting – you get to house hunt while your baby gets their much-needed rest.
Create An Essential Property Wishlist
If there’s one thing parenthood teaches you, it’s that focusing on what actually matters in life becomes a vital skill. You rarely have the time to spend elsewhere. When you can, sit down with your partner (preferably when the baby’s asleep) to hammer out an essential list of non-negotiables for your new home and think practically.
Perhaps you simply need a child’s bedroom close to the master bedroom for those middle-of-the-night feedings or enough bedrooms to welcome another newborn on the way. Or perhaps you care more about the crime rate and local school catchment area now you have a smaller person to think about. Don’t forget about outdoor space, it’s nice to give children a garden to play in as they grow.
Of course, always consider your budget. But if you know exactly what you need and what would be nice to have, you don’t have to debate for years when a good house shows up.
Hire a Babysitter For On-Site Visits
Dragging a newborn along to every house viewing isn’t ideal, and they’d probably agree. That’s why it’s smart to hire a babysitter when you can or use family and friends to help you during this intense time.
With someone to help, you can focus solely on the property without worrying about nappy (diaper) changes or a tantrum. You’ll be able to ask questions, and even take measurements when needed to make sure your furniture will fit. You’ll also move through viewings more quickly, and potentially go further afield thank you would have otherwise.
Schedule Trips Out For Home Tours
It’s not always that comfortable having a baby around when people come to look at your home, even if the buyers are nice. Any parent looking after a little one knows it can feel a little odd to have strangers come into your most private space, but of course, this is a reasonable situation for them to do so.
However, if you’d prefer to take your child to a friend’s or relative’s house or just head out for a while as your partner hosts the open visitation or viewing day, then that can be a good alternative. That’s because you might not be able to live at home as you usually would, and certainly not schedule a nap while people come to view the rooms. Planning this with your realtor in advance is a good idea, as is switching up the schedule to match.
Find Realtors That Understand Your Needs
Not all realtors are as helpful, especially when it comes to understanding the needs of new parents. When you’re house-hunting with a newborn, you need a real estate agent who is not only willing to understand your needs as a new family, but who knows the real estate market and which opportunities are best for you. Essentially, you want someone who “gets it.”
So, look for realtors who have experience working with young families. They’re more likely to think of things you might overlook in your sleep-deprived state. For example, they might point out potential safety hazards or highlight features that make a home more baby-friendly, or even conversion opportunities like the chance to split a huge master bedroom into two children’s bedrooms. Don’t be afraid to interview a few housing agents before settling on one. They’ll usually understand.
Remember Your Baby (& Their Needs) Grow Up & Change Fast
Babies grow fast. Faster than any of us are usually expecting. That tiny newborn will be crawling, then walking, then running little person before you know it.
For that reason, it might be that you have a baby now, but buying a house solely suitable for a baby is a bad idea (and few babies will complain about it). That perfect room for a cot next to your bedroom might seem ideal now, but in a year or two, you might appreciate having some distance for better sleep or a more open room to convert into a home office.
Also, of course, think about your family’s plans. Are you considering having more children? You might want an extra bedroom or a larger living area at some point then, or perhaps the location could become more important for you.
With this advice, we hope you can find it easier to property hunt with a newborn to care for. By following such principles you’re sure to find a beautiful forever home.