Family is important, and your decision to sell your home may be difficult for those closest to you. Moving can create mixed emotions, and it’s important to help your family understand how and why you made your decision. Whether you are moving up, downsizing, or changing locations due to a new opportunity, including family members in the process can smooth the transition. It may also help alleviate stress and strong emotions that could complicate the sale.
As soon as you decide to sell your home, set aside time to have a serious conversation with the rest of your family. If you have children living at home, they may be fearful of leaving their home, their school, and possibly their friends. Listen to them and reassure them of the safety of the family unit. Arrange some special time to make memories and say goodbye to friends. Have a plan for future visits – even if they are virtual. You can’t promise that nothing will change, but share the good things you expect to get from the move; a bigger home, a better job, advantages of the new area, etc. Help your children see that you’ve considered them from the very beginning and explain why it will be a good move for them as well.
Adult children might have difficulty as well. Even though they have left the home, and maybe even left the Burlington/Oakville area altogether, they may be less than enthusiastic for several reasons. They may question your decision to move into the new home or area, or they might simply be nostalgic and sad to see their childhood home sold. A home is a special place – and the decision to sell, especially if you’ve been in the home for a long time, affects not just you but your family. You can help bring them into the conversation by making time to listen and understand their concerns and then share your own. This way, while you might not all agree, no one will feel left out of the decision.
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