The Pros and Cons of Taking Your Kids to Property Viewings
If you’re looking for a new family home, viewings will play a key role in your quest to find ‘The One’.
While marketing photos and virtual tours serve an important purpose, nothing rivals seeing the décor, layout and location with your own eyes.
Viewings also give buyers the chance to discuss the property with the agent and learn more about its history and the seller’s situation.
With all this in mind, where does that leave parents? Should they take their offspring to viewings or make other arrangements for their children?
There’s no right or wrong answer: it depends on your circumstances and your children.
But here’s a list of the advantages and disadvantages to help you decide.
Pros
- You can observe how your kids react to a property. If their immediate response is positive, you know you’re on to a good thing. Alternatively, if they start arguing over who gets which bedroom, as one is significantly bigger than the other, you’ve got some thinking to do.
- Your children may have a different perspective and highlight aspects you might not have noticed.
- If children are involved in the process, they’re more likely to feel optimistic about moving. Considering their views may help you avoid moving-day tears.
- If a seller has a strong emotional attachment to the property, they may wish to see it go to a family and so look more favourably on your offer. (We’ve known buyers joke about taking other people’s kids to viewings so that they can play the ‘family card’.)
- It gives sellers a good idea of where you’re coming from and your motivation.
Cons
- Your children could be a distraction, meaning you can’t give the property your full attention. You may fail to notice the opportunity of a doer-upper or spot potential problems.
- Your kids could break or spill something, leaving you red-faced.
- If your child is struggling to adjust to the idea of moving, they may find viewings unsettling.
- Your child may fall in love with a property you dislike and feel disappointed when you don’t buy it.
Suggestion
If you can get childcare, consider attending first viewings unaccompanied. Take your offspring to second viewings so that they’re only seeing properties that are real contenders.
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