First-Time Homeowner Children -- With Parents

As career agents for Long & Foster in Chambersburg, PA, we help people buy and sell houses every day. We guide our clients through the logistics, finances and emotions of what generally are major--even life-changing--events. But then we find, as we guess many parents do, that we are ill-equipped to manage our own emotions when it comes to sending our three-year-old off to day care.

Today we handed Jack over to well-qualified care givers, but still left the building with heavy hearts. We had researched and satisfied our rational minds that this center was the best choice, yet emotionally we were still unprepared. We know many parents feel this way when they help their young adult children purchase their first homes. This explains why so many parents feel compelled to be involved with every detail of their child's transaction. Like us, they love their children and want to do right by them. In part because of the first-time homebuyer tax credit, we're meeting more young buyers--with parents in tow--than ever, and the "folks" want to interview us and scrutinize the house to be purchased.

You know what? That's okay. Without hesitation, we include moms and dads in the process and recognize the degree to which they influence their childrens' decisions. We accord them the respect due their position as parents. (Being the parents of four ourselves helps!) We realize that parents' (and all clients') trust must be earned and the process of building trust takes time. Parents need reassurance that their accomplished, independent, adult "babies" are in good hands.

When getting to know their clients, Realtors would do well to identify the influencers: the people who the buyers need by their sides, be they parents, other relatives or friends. And, you first-time home buyers should know that it's okay to include your extended family in your decision-making. It helps if, before you start on this journey, you tell your kindly Realtor who needs to be involved in the process. That way, everyone will be in the loop--and (hopefully) able to trust a professional despite the emotional roller-coaster.

Link to first time home buyers tax credit information http://alturl.com/zrxn