Home : Blogs : Todd Clark (Broker) (503)524-9494 (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert) : Helping Families Home - Your Oregon Real Estate Blog

Can we bring our kids?

This is a question I got from a buyer yesterday and as a person with 3 kids of my own, ranging from ages 4 to 10, I couldn't believe I was being asked this question. I personally think this is a question that I shouldn't have to be asked. Without kids, we don't have a future and I want them to learn about life and the home buying process.

I love kids and I told them I would send some of my past posts about kids on appointments to look at homes and how sometimes the biggest joy I get out of life is getting kids to laugh or kids getting me to laugh. I coach baseball, softball, did Junior Achievement, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and have done S.M.A.R.T. (Start Making a Reader Today), because I love kids and welcome them at every chance I get.

Then I started joking with them that they had better remember that if they find a house they like they will have to hurry and pick their room out, because I tell kids that rooms are on a first come, first serve basis. I let you in on a little secret, the kids will pick the master bedroom as theirs every time!

So, bring your kids when you go look at homes. This is going to be their home as well and they should be included in the home buying process.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739

Posted by Todd Clark (Broker) (503)524-9494 (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert) on 10/04/2008 11:21 AM

Comments (22)

Buying With Kids in the Home Buying Channel

families, moving, moving with kids, home buying process, tigard oregon real estate, beaverton oregon real estate, realtor, mls

Originally posted at: Living Beaverton - Your guide to everything Beaverton: Can we bring our kids?

This post has been included in Oregon Information Washington County, OR Information Tigard, OR Information
Post is included in group: 1st Time Buyers
Post is included in group: Addicted to Active Rain
Post is included in group: Dedicated Bloggers
Post is included in group: e-PRO Internet Technology
Post is included in group: Family Ties

22 Comments on Can we bring our kids?

OCT

2008

Todd, I love that kids pick the master bedroom. Hadn't noticed this since most know that it is Mommy and Daddy's room. Maybe they want that garden tub to play in : )

I love hearing a perspective from kids. I always make it an adventure when I am showing with kids. We look for all the "hideout" nooks and crannies while mom and dad look at all the boring "functional" kind of stuff. Had one little girl who was so brutally honest last spring with decorating. Hilarious little thang! She wanted mom and dad to buy every home that had any splash of pepto bismal pink on the walls!

Great post! Kids should always be welcome. It is helpful however if they are well behaved. I have had experiences in the past with ages 10-13 that get into homeowners belongings when looking.

Sometimes it is a pleasure and sometimes it is brutal. But they are part of the process and you have to love it when they fight over rooms...

Todd-

This post really made me start to re-think my issues with kids. Usually, the kids are running around yelling and knocking things off tables. It makes my showings very stressful- to say the least.

The kids are part of the family- the MOST important part. Of course, they should be part of the process!

If the kids are not well behaved and the parents are indifferent to their behavior, it can be a challenge.

Gary - I think that is why they pick it, I tell them it works on a first come first serve basis, it is like claiming shotgun in a car!

Renee - Exactly! Kids are so much fun as long as you get them involved. But, if you make it boring or don't include them in the conversation, that is whey problems start to happen.

Michelle - If you give them something to do I find that it distracts them enough. I tell them to bring a tape measure and help me make sure beds will fit and dressers. PROBLEM SOLVED!

Frank or Jodi - They do need to be involved or they feel they aren't part of the family and they tend to get angry and can make the home buying process a horrible experience.

Mott - If they are small and are like that bring a coloring book or something else to do. Make them more a part of the process and they will want to participate, they usually only run around out of boredom, solve that and you solve your problem.

Richard - That is when you need to take control! Become the parent and direct the kids that you wouldn't want someone acting like this in your room would you? If they realize that if someone did that in their room and one of their toys got broke, then these people would feel the same about their stuff.

Taking the kids along is definitely more directed towards age. I mean,how much can your 2 and 3 year old give towards selecting a home. On the other hand, they tire quickly, the parents become short tempered and lose interest in looking at the home since the 2 year old is screaming because he broke the piggy bank that Momtold him 10 times not to touch and she wouldn't let him take the money that fell to the floor. Try and advise parents to age appropriateness! It is hard to replace Great Grandpa's piggy bank that has been handed down for generations!

Denise - If they are that young, you bring age appropriate toys for them to play with and you are fine. I've haven't had a problem with a single child in a house in 5 years and I think that is because I involve them. Even if a 2 year old isn't directly involved in the house buying process, if you make them feel important that can relieve a lot of stress on parents. Kids are smarter than we give them credit for.

Todd- I don't think anyone ever asked me this before.../.they either brought them or they didn't :)

Kathy - To be honest I had never been asked prior today either, but I have always asked before we head out to look at homes for the first time if they have children, so I know if I need to bring car seats and then ask them their ages so I can bring them a small gift.

OCT

2008

Todd, I wrote a post about this awhile back too. I am all for the kids coming along. Sure, sometimes we act like a babysitter/redirector but it is all worth it in the end. I remember one mom that was so worried that her darling 3 year old would break or spill something. Funny thing I bought them McDonalds and the MOM was the one who ended up spilling HER drink in my car. LOL

Todd .. this is so cute! I'm personally looking for a home right now and I DO NOT TAKE THE KIDS ... they would fight from the second they walk in the door so I figure where everyone would go and then decide to take them LATER!

Hi Todd,
I love this! I find that kids get so excited looking at homes and I do try to always be prepared with coloring books and crayons.

OCT

2008

I think this is great that you encourage parents to bring the kids. Homes are at least as important to the kids as to the parents.

Home Buying is a family process- I agree it is going to be thier home too. Most times parents do a wonderful job in keeping a watchful eye on them- the times they don't as you suggested is the best time for us to engage them to make the home viewing experience pleasant!

Hey, I even bring my kids when I show houses sometimes. Clients love it cuz kids point out all the negatives that we don't notice. Especially smells.

It is fine to for Buyers to bring children on showings, if they are well behaved. If they start picking up the crystal and jumping on beds, it's not fun at all. It's very stressful. If Buyers want to bring their children, they just need to have control over them. When the children are well behaved, it is great.

I absolutely love this post and I tend to agree its very important that kids be involved in the moving process..makes it easier not only for the children but for the parents too!

Todd: I missed this post. And thanks to Midori's weekly recap....I found it. I agree, I tell buyers to bring their kids. I call them the "home inspectors". I love to watch them pick out their rooms !

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?