Moving Tips For Moving with Children

If you have children, buying and moving to a new home in Ottawa it will undoubtedly become more complicated than moving as a couple or a single person

Moreover, moving can be a scary experience for children, especially if it means they will have to change schools or leave their friends behind. There are things you can do as a parent to make the entire process go smoothly and be less upsetting.

When to Tell Your Kids

The best time to let your children know about a possible move is as soon as possible. If you are still in the process of looking at Ottawa homes, you might want to bring the kids with you to view the houses. Letting kids see where their new bedrooms or play areas will be can lessen the anxiety that is often associated with a move. If the move means the children will go to a new school, you  might want to take them to see the school as soon as you can.

If you are moving to a new state or province and can't travel there with your children before the move, take the time to teach your child as much as you can about their new home. Look up the city or town online to learn about its history. Use the internet to find out about clubs and sports your child can participate in, in the new town.

Packing Up

Your children can help you pack up the old house. Set aside a time a week or so before the move to help your children pack their belongings. You can use this time to purge toys and objects your child no longer uses, but try to be respectful of his or her wishes. Moving is a stressful time for kids. Don't add to the stress by demanding that they get rid of all of their toys – as some may be memorable keep-sakes.

On Moving Day

How involved your kids are on moving day depends on their age. Older children and teenagers can help you load up the moving van and finish packing. Toddlers and very young children will probably just get in the way of the process. You might want to hire a babysitter to look after them as you pack up the van. A babysitter can be helpful after you've moved as well, to watch the kids while you unload the van.

After the Move

After you've moved to your new Ottawa home, try to get settled into your new home as quickly as you can. Unpack your kids' rooms first, so that they have a place to themselves. Get your children involved in your new community’s or school’s activities as soon as possible so that they can start making friends and building a new life.

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Moving Tips - The Challenges of Moving in Ottawa

Buying a new home in Ottawa is exciting. But, the process of packing up your belongings and moving from one home to another is usually less exciting. Moving can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be.

Real estate professional Marnie Bennett offers some tips on how to make your move to your new home as stress-free as possible.

Pick the Day Wisely

A lot of people choose to move on a weekend, particularly on a Saturday. While a weekend move makes sense, as you'll likely be off from work, it can actually be an inconvenient time to move. A lot of businesses, such as your bank or the post office, are closed on weekends or, if they are open, close early those days. If you have a last minute issue that requires urgent or personal attention, you likely won't be able to get to those businesses during a weekend.

It's also usually less expensive to move on a weekday than on a weekend. If you're using professional movers, they might charge you less to pack up and transport your possessions. If you're renting a van, you might pay a lower flat fee or less per-mile rate on the weekend.

Lists and Labels are Your Friend

If you have ever said "I must have lost it in the move," you have probably learned the hard way that creating a list of your possessions and labeling each box clearly can help you considerably. As you pack the items, record in a notebook or on a spreadsheet what goes into each box. Number the boxes and assign the numbers to each list. It’s also a good idea to write on the outside of the box the room in which the box is to be placed.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Even if you have a small home, you will want to give yourself a few weeks to pack up your items. Start packing items you use infrequently and start three or four weeks before the move. You don't want to leave everything for the day before, as things are likely to get lost or broken if you rush to pack.

Gather Supplies

When you're moving to your new Ottawa home, almost invariably you will need more packing supplies that you thought you would need. It is frustrating to run out of boxes or tape or newspaper (for wrapping fragile items) when you're in the midst of packing up a room. Moving supplies are available at an array of places. If you're on a budget, you can find moving boxes for free by asking politely at a liquor store or a supermarket. People who have recently moved will sometimes offer their boxes for free on Craigslist or other classified websites.

Trimming Your Possessions

Moving gives you a great opportunity to trim your clutter. You probably don't want to pay to haul items you'll likely never use again. As you pack, take the time to purge yourself and your new residence of items you don't need, such as toys your children have outgrown, books you know you won't read again, and broken objects which you will probably never get around to repairing. You can either donate or discard these items. What is really important though is that you don't bring junk into your new Ottawa home and start the clutter all over again.  Some folks simply leave what they don’t want behind – BUT this is neither a considerate, polite nor recommended course of action as how would you like it if someone left your new home filled with their old garbage?

Last Minute Packing

There are some things you will want to hold off on packing. Keep any important documents, such as your passport, closing documents, valuables and any personal papers with you while you move.

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Adding In-Laws to Your Ottawa Home

One feature some couples look for when buying a home in Ottawa is what is called “An in-law suite”. They might want the suite so that their parents can move in with them as the parents age. Some couples who live far away from the rest of their families might seek out a suite so that their two (or more) sets parents have a private place to stay when they come to visit. In addition to giving parents a place to stay, in-law suites can also generate income for a homeowner.

What to Look for in a Suite

Ideally, the in-law suite will act as its own private space. The suite can have its own private entrance, so that whoever is staying in it can come and go as they wish without disturbing the rest of the household. Other features the suite should have include a full bath and a kitchen.  If the person who stays in the suite doesn’t like to cook or is incapable of cooking, a kitchenette or even just a refrigerator and single burner might suffice.

Location of the Suite

Most in-law suites are attached to the home, though some are in freestanding garage-like buildings. If the house doesn't come with a suite already, you might find that it's easiest to renovate the basement and convert it into a suite. Many basements already have a separate entrance, for one thing. It's also pretty easy to add plumbing in the basement.  However, based upon the mobility of the suite’s intended occupants, a main-floor or bungalow-style suite may be preferable.

Getting a Suite Early On

Purchasing an Ottawa home that already has an in-law suite can save you money down the road. You won't have to worry about renovating your home when it's time to have your parents move in. Plus, you can earn income from the suite by renting it out to a student or other young person in the mean time.

An in-law suite can also act as transitional living situation for an older child. If your child attends college but doesn't live on campus, you can let him or her live in the suite. In that way, they'll be close by, but still be able to have a sense of privacy and independence.

Benefits of Having Your Parents Live With You

As your parents get older, they become less able to care for themselves. If they are still in good health, having them live with you rather than in a retirement community, can save you both a lot of money. Plus, having your parents live with you means that your children get to see their grandparents on a regular basis and you get to spend a lot of quality time with your parents in the latter stages of their lives.

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