Ninety percent of the time we took our kids. We tried to look at houses without them, but we didn't have a baby-sitter we could call at a moment's notice. Even though my kids were distracting at times, I was curious to see their reaction, since whatever home we bought, it was going to be their home, too. Area real estate agents and home builders say shopping for a new home with small children can be a challenge for everyone involved, especially for the parents. They also say today's child demands more diversions than just sitting with a paper and pencil.
Parents involve the kids in shopping for homes much more than they used to.
Kids have much more say-so about the schools they'll be attending, the parks near their home and which bedroom will be theirs. In so many ways, the child is a key component to home buying. But like Borre, many couples don't have the luxury of getting a baby-sitter at a moment's notice, in order to dash through a home that's just been listed. A surprising number of real estate agents are prepared for young children in their offices and cars, and even have simple suggestions for home-shopping parents. I have paper towels in my trunk, facial tissues, napkins and baby wipes.