Here are some tried and true tips for selling your home when you have kids:

1) Get Organized and Prepared!

• The very first step is always to organize your thoughts and implement a plan
• Give yourself some time to organize for a week or so during nap time or while the kids are at school
• Go through their closets, dressers, toys, etc. and find items that you may be able to donate or take to storage
• Clean the tops of dressers and nightstands, take down personalized items, and put away all but 25% of the toys and 1-2 weeks worth of clothing

• Make a contract with your kids
• For little ones, maybe there is a special toy they've wanted
• Print out a picture of the toy and put it somewhere so they see it daily
• A sticker chart can also help encourage them
• For older kids, maybe it's a "paycheck" that you hand them after closing on your home
• Make sure the reward is something they're really excited for and be very specific about their chores and when you need them completed 
• Remember to be age appropriate and realistic 

• Making a checklist for all of the chores that your kids are capable of helping with will set expectations on the right path
• Remind them to make their beds, clean off the bathroom counter, close toilet seats, and hang up towels
• Put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher or hand wash and put them away
• Help turn on all lights in the home and open blinds before school
• Your home shows better when it's brighter

• These showing bags can hold your kid's favourite treats, drinks, a special toy/book, cozy clothes/ blanket, etc.
• Whatever you do, make these fun!
• Make sure there's a showing bag for you with personal items, just in case
• Once you have them made, just keep them in your car or garage to grab as you leave your house

• Gather some ideas for easy trips for when showings happen
• The less planning you have to do in the moment, the easier the process
• This may be a good time to go to the park, go on a hike, grab some food, or just walk around the mall
• Build out a good list of options so that you can easily escape to somewhere pleasant when you're leaving your home for a showing

• Determine a checklist for yourself
• Have something written down so you don't miss the important things
• Then, plan to do a final sweep of the home once the kids are buckled in the car

• You can ask your real estate agent to give you a 2 hour showing notice for each requested showing of your home
• You can ask for more or less time based on your needs
• You'll need enough time for your little one to finish a nap or for your older kids to accomplish their contract items
• You'll also need time to do a final inspection while leaving your house before the buyers get there
• Budget this time wisely so that you don't feel too pressed for time

• The easier you can make the process, the better
• Think about only using two bathrooms - less to clean
• Have toys/books/games/etc. in one room and leave the main spaces a little less chaotic
• Schedule lots of outside play, if weather permits, and have everyone take their shoes off at the door

• There is a good chance that the person thinking about buying your home has children
• Or at least have been around children enough to know that families have to live in their home
• Not everything will be perfect
• There will be times when you can't get to everything on your list and that is okay
• Your kids are going to take their cues from you - remember to breathe