You’ve searched online, clicked through dozens of houses, and finally chose one you want to view. Now that the viewing day has come, you can’t get childcare. What do you do?
You don’t have to let the lack of childcare put off finding your dream home. Just make sure you call ahead and explain the situation - a little communication goes a long way.
The good news is that kids are welcome at most house viewings, but there are a few things worth thinking about to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Can you bring kids to a house viewing?
If you are bringing your kids to house viewings, there are ways to make it run more smoothly on the day.
Firstly, give your estate agent a quick call to let them know who’s coming. This gives the owners a chance to put away any items that could be dangerous to little ones.
If possible, try to ensure you’re attending the viewing at a time when the children won’t be hungry, irritable, or overly tired. Maybe throw some snacks and games in a bag to keep them distracted, or if it’s a nice enough day and the property has a garden, and the current owners allow it, let them play in the garden.
Also, it’s good to explain to children to ‘look but not touch’ in the house and to be careful not to break anything.
What age is appropriate for a house viewing?
There’s no appropriate or inappropriate age to bring, but depending on how old your children are, you might have to change up your approach:
- Babies and toddlers: It might be a bit more difficult, but it is understandable if you bring the little ones with you. Just try to keep wandering toddlers close.
- Primary schoolers: Make it fun! Get them to rate each bedroom out of 10 or draw their favourite part of the house.
- Teenagers: They could have some decent input. Ask what they think about the space and if they can see themselves living there.
Why bringing kids to house viewings might be a good idea
Making your kids part of the house-moving process can work out great in the long run. Firstly, they get to feel part of the big move rather than having it sprung on them.
You can even make the move exciting, as they can start imagining where their bed might go and where they'll play.
You can also spot if they hate a place, although maybe don’t ask their (a little too honest) opinion if you sense they don’t like the house at a viewing.
Remember, it's someone else's home
Just a gentle reminder that you're popping into someone else's home. That’s why it’s important to call ahead and make sure it is okay to bring your child.
Calling ahead doesn’t just give the seller a heads-up; it also allows them to lay any ground rules before you arrive.
Things like taking your shoes off before you get in the house, and knowing if any rooms are off limits to kids, are always helpful to know before you arrive.
When not to take kids to house viewings
Sometimes it might be easier to sort childcare, especially when you want to arrange a second viewing that involves taking measurements or having a serious chat. Also, not all properties are child-friendly, and some can have obvious hazards like ongoing building work or unfenced ponds.
Remember that not all owners want children in their houses, and some specifically request that no children be brought to viewings. You should call ahead to check with the estate agent or homeowner and make sure the house is suitable for children to be in.
The bottom line
You don’t always have to skip house viewings if you can’t get childcare. Call ahead and speak to the agent and the homeowner to check it’s okay, and if so, bring some snacks or toys and remind the kids to ‘look but don’t touch.’
Do you have questions about bringing the kids to viewings this summer? Just have a chat with your local estate agent. They've seen it all before and can give you the lowdown on specific properties.
