Did you take kids to your property inspection before?

Hi Guys,
We are Sydney based, bought 2 properties in Brisbane, My wife and my kids - 6 & 8 years old. did not see any except in the photos.

I usually go for inspection when I am around Brisbane if there is a new tenant to see the how the tenants are treating the house. I am thinking of taking the kids with me this time to see the houses we bought. is it a good idea?

the reason is, I am always reading about property, checking houses websites, forums,...etc. and my family knows that I enjoy this, I keep talking to them about property as it is important to me. I enjoy it. I am thinking to show them the real thing of it. and that it is not only on the computer.

On the other side, I am not sure if there could be any negative impact on the agent or the tenant. please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks
Ramez

 

Can work well if looking to buy a place, dress the kids up in rags, dirty feet etc and let them run amok at the open house, or even better on auction day. Could scare off a few potential buyers.

 

Get them started young.

Maybe they'll catch the bug!

 

I take my kids to open houses, but taking them through an already tenanted property that you own - maybe not.

 

I'm a mum that invests in properties and owns a real estate company - my kids have been everywhere, to my office, open inspections, routine inspections, purchasing properties for ourselves.

Even appraisal appointments for new clients.

There is a big plus to including kids - their benefit, they can see exactly what you do, also the benefit of the other person - they can see exactly who you are and who they are dealing with.

I always ask though. Yes I can see you today but it's school holidays, can I bring my 2 younger children with me.

The oldest one - no chance.
There's another reason take them with you while you are still "cool" and they still want to be with you.

There will be a time when hanging out with mum or dad is not longer a cool thing to do

 

My kids get dragged to my IP stuff all the time but it does give them an understanding of what I'm doing all the time at home (plans, spreadsheets, PC, etc)

Mine have gone IP hunting, construction sites etc but they haven't gone to a rental inspection as I leave that up to the PM to handle.

 

Sa

Same as mine but the answer to the question is dependent on your own children. Are they well behaved and would they be interested.

 

The kids are pretty OK, and they listen. maybe the young would like to run around, but it is usually 10 minute inspection.

I will take them and see how things will go.

Thanks
Ramez

 

Give them a list of things to do or see at the property or bring something to keep their attention

 

I've taken the oldest to a few auctions, open houses and for inspections of properties we already own.

It's fun - the auctions are entertaining (as long as I'm not bidding) and with our own IPs, she's starting to gain an understanding of how/why we plan for the long term.

 

To open homes I would say yes.

But into someone private home to conduct an inspection... It is too personal.. It is someone's home, not show and tell. Even if they were well behaved I would not like to have random children looking around my house.

 

Unprofessional in some settings. It a) creates distractions in the meeting, and b) shows you can't organise them to be elsewhere / time manage.

 

Its not long until my kids are taking me.

 

As the banker or as the advisor?

 

As the Driving instructor and Guarantor!

 

Saw this one backfire, the kiddies ran around , into the neighbours yards, places where it might have been a good idea to supervise them, and one of them fell and broke their arm badly. The agent had asked the parents to 'control their kids' ..
felt sorry for the kids.

 

While purchasing I can't see any problem, it makes you look like a poor FHB with mouths to feed.
If I was inspecting a currently tenanted property that I own I wouldn't bring them with me.The tenants have a right to quiet enjoyment IMO.

 

For the next 8 weeks I'll try and not have them with me for meetings etc but it will be unavoidable at some times as it's school holidays and if I have only one meeting that day I'd rather not put them in for a full day of vacation care . Luckily there is a kids room (or empty room) at both my builders they can sit in whilst I have a meeting so they aren't distractions.
So B isn't really an issue and I've never professed to being able to time manage

 

I did highlight the word "some" for a reason. Having met your kids, I know that you're an excellent parent. They've always sat down and done colouring in etc and not provided any distractions; they're a credit to you.

 

You should have seen them at the Perth meetup on Saturday . They were model citizens for about a 90 mins then boredom set in and at one stage they were wrestling and sitting on top of each other. All good though, as you say, it wasn't an important meeting and I could still chat with everyone.
But for events like that I refuse to let them bring an ipad/play on my phone as I think they can occupy themselves sitting next to me. If they go to a meeting and are in another room and I need them to be quiet as a mouse then the ipad can come.