Guest post by: Justin Bennett | justinbennett@healthyfit.info
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ENABLE Special Needs Planning.
The ENABLE Special Needs Planning comprehensive process helps you create an abundant life for your child today, while building a future for your loved one that is unique and tailored to his or her own abilities, hopes, dreams, and goals. Find out more today! info@ENABLEsnp.com
Moving to a new home is a stressful event, even for those of us without children. When you’re moving with a family, and especially a family that has a child with a disability or other special needs, and you will encounter challenges that are tough to deal with. But, there are ways that you can make your move a more pleasant experience for everyone.
Getting a Grip on Your Finances
Coming up with enough money to move is one of the most stressful aspects of the process. A few ways to ensure that you won’t be scrambling to cover a financial gap at the last minute include researching the area you plan to move to, understanding all of your costs, and getting preapproved before you try to buy.
To get an idea of what you can afford in the town you plan to move to, look online for local real estate trends. Don’t be afraid to branch out a few miles from your originally intended area, as you may find homes on the outskirts of town are more affordable. A less expensive home means a smaller down payment and a more affordable mortgage. You’ll always want to know how much you’re likely to make from selling your house, as this will factor into such things as your down payment.
Since your mortgage is not your only expense, take the time to sit down and write out other areas for you will likely be out of pocket. One that is often overlooked is moving. Movers can charge thousands of dollars to pack up your home and move your belongings to another. There are many factors that go into this, including cargo weight, delivery timeframe, and distance. You may be able to save if you move on a less popular day of the week or if you don’t mind sharing space with another family.
You also want to open up a conversation about buying a new home with your mortgage broker well before you start hunting for a new house. Your mortgage agent will take a look at your credit score, which Lexington Law explains can affect your interest rates. They’ll also look at your debt-to-income ratio and prior payment history. All of these factors determine how much you are preapproved for.
Having a preapproval in hand will open more doors and can expedite the buying process, which can lower stress because you know what you can afford and can avoid the hassle of looking at houses that you can’t. If you’re going to need to make mobility modifications to your new home, you want to keep as much money as possible so that you can pay for these without going further into debt.
If you’re moving to another state and you run your own business, keep in mind that you’ll need to register your business based on the state’s requirements. Choosing to form as a limited liability company (LLC) is a popular option for many entrepreneurs, as less paperwork is involved, your personal assets are protected, and there are a few tax advantages. Using an online formation service to complete the process is an affordable and efficient option, and you can rest assured all the requirements are met regarding filing and sending paperwork to the proper authorities.
A Family Conversation
Moving with a child with special needs means that you have to be communicative with everyone involved. Talk to your child early on about the move so that there are no surprises. Child Mind Institute notes that you’ll then want to make sure that their new school can accommodate their needs, begin building your network, and confer with their pediatrician to ensure they are in a healthy physical state and able to handle the stress of moving.
Perhaps most importantly, when you are moving with a child that has special needs, you have to keep a positive attitude. Let them know your expectations, and give them a few small decisions to make on their own, such as what color to paint their new bedroom walls or what to wear to school on their first day in an unfamiliar school. Giving them some control will help keep them positive about the experience.
Moving will always pose challenges. But, you do not have to let these hurdles make it a negative life event. When you have a child with special needs, eliminating stressors before the move, and maintaining an open line of communication throughout are essential. So, sit down with your realtor, mortgage broker, and your family, put your heads together, and come up with a plan that helps everyone settle in without undue stress.
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