https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:19:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822496 Tue, 15 May 2018 07:37:11 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2822496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lioneyes: Thanks so much! Going to PM you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822495 Tue, 15 May 2018 07:36:59 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2822495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBucky: I honestly don't know! We haven't seen any issues from our perspective (we've been there for 9 years), but the length of sale grew significantly in the last year. We first looked into selling in 2016 and average sale time was about 30 days, and when we went to get ready in the fall of 2017, it rose to 90 days. Nothing in the building changed, so I'm not sure why. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822439 Mon, 14 May 2018 19:29:15 +0000 skipra 2822439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My family just moved last summer with one going into second grade. It has been less than a year and the transition was nothing to him. A comment he just made was that he was at his old school years ago and he barely remembers it. My point being that young kids adapt quickly and at that age it really shouldn't be an issue for her. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822419 Mon, 14 May 2018 16:39:22 +0000 lioneyes 2822419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Realtor here. Not going to offer advice re: schools and switching, but only on selling your Condo.</p> <p>I would take it off and relist it AS A NEW LISTING/NEW MLS # in the Fall. Things that sit/drop in price look stale and can be overlooked. Fall is the second hottest market of the year, especially in a condo, where many different kinds of people might be interested in buying (versus a single family home in a suburb which is more traditionally tied to the school calendar). I strongly recommend springing for amazing pro pix (check out HomeJab) and pricing it correctly- maybe a few dollars/sq.ft lower than others listed, and definitely in line with comparable sales in the past 6 months.</p> <p>Also, and this is a difficult one- do you actually feel like your realtor is getting it done? You cannot feel bad or be ruled by emotion here- you need someone who will get it sold, and a good listing agent will understand that, if you feel you need to get out of your contract and list with someone else.<br /> Feel free to wall me if you have any questions or anything! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822413 Mon, 14 May 2018 15:58:14 +0000 MrsBucky 2822413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Carrot: curious that it seems to be building wide. Do they make it hard to do tours or open houses? Is there something about the building which might be off putting to folks? are the condo fees higher than average? I’d be super curious if there was a reason that the building is putting off potential buyers in some non obvious way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822409 Mon, 14 May 2018 15:50:35 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2822409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hypatia: No, kindergarten isn't compulsory in some states, but OP wasn't asking about whether or not to send her child to school-she asked about the kind of impact that might occur in switching schools mid-year or at the end of the first year. I'm a former kindergarten teacher and it was painfully obvious which students hadn't attended school before. It goes far beyond academics. The social/emotional piece is often hard for a child to navigate for the first time when entering a classroom of 20+ peers at 6 or older without prior exposure. If OP wants to send her child to a traditional school, keeping her home and doing kindergarten-type activities is very different than the experience a classroom would offer.</p> <p>@Mrs. Carrot: I would say switching after kinder isn't a huge deal. Yes, it'd be ideal for her to be with her peer group from the first year, but I would think (depending on her personality) that switching to a new school in first grade won't make that much of an impact. If she's been in a school environment prior to now (and she has IIRC), hopefully the transition will be smooth no matter what you end up doing. FWIW, I moved my son from the school he'd been at for 18 months to a new one mid-year (he's 3.5) and he totally rolled with it. Fingers crossed your daughter does the same. Best wishes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822385 Mon, 14 May 2018 13:27:32 +0000 Truth Bombs 2822385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Moving mid year in Kindergarten likely won't be a huge deal unless your child is super shy and reserved... however, I would still be inclined to pull your house off the market if it doesn't sell by July. If you are in a market where MOST stuff is selling quickly, I would be weary of letting your house sit too long. When my husband and I were looking, if we saw that a house had been on the market for more than 3 months, we likely wouldn't even go tour it because we just assumed something was wrong with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822367 Mon, 14 May 2018 12:22:18 +0000 kiddosc 2822367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I attended 4 different schools between kindergarten and third grade, including attending three different school in first grade. I don't think it's a huge deal to switch schools mid-school year. Sure, it's not ideal, but I wouldn't put something as monumental as selling a home and finding a forever home on hold just because of a school year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822352 Mon, 14 May 2018 11:58:59 +0000 Mommy Finger 2822352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FWIW, my friend just moved from the midwest to Orlando a few months ago and had to move her kindergarten going son to a new school. He hasn't had any issues. I know not all kids are the same but I don't think moving schools midyear, especially at a young age is a deal breaker. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822349 Mon, 14 May 2018 11:57:41 +0000 snowjewelz 2822349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like you want to move earlier than later. If so I would do that. Kids are resilient and with your help, she will adjust just fine. I say that b/c we moved internationally when I was just finishing up 7th grade, and my sister just finishing pre-k. I didn't even get to finish where I was and then got thrown in right like 2 months before school was over. Ideal? No. Did we survive and eventually thrive? Yeah! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822348 Mon, 14 May 2018 11:57:24 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2822348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pollywog: thanks for all that! I had no idea about the school thing(we’re in FFX county), that definitely helps, though the commute might prove problematic because we’re looking at farther suburbs for a house. </p> <p>Our condo is listed with staging, professional photos, and we did a ton of upgrades so we’re at a loss too. Units in our building are unfortunately selling very slowly, even though it’s a nice building. We just didn’t think it was going to be this slow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822339 Mon, 14 May 2018 10:59:06 +0000 Pollywog 2822339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm pretty sure you live in my area. Arlington, Loudoun, and Fairfax all allow kids to stay in their old school if they move within the district during the year. So that's a vote for keeping it on the market. </p> <p>I've seen every townhouse in my neighborhood sell in a few days, so I'm surprised you are having trouble. I've heard there's a ton of buyers out there, so I'm sure you'll have good luck soon. I might put a full scale effort (stage, get professional photos, and have an open house) to see if you can get any traction. I know when we bought we got a sweat heart of a deal because the owners have to sell before the start of the school year to buy a house in a different school zone. It was common knowledge among the real estate agents that if you didn't get an offer by Labor Day you probably weren't going to get one. So I'd be open to waiting it out through the summer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822333 Mon, 14 May 2018 10:40:55 +0000 lindseykaye 2822333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you sure you'd have to move her school mid-year? I know in our district you do not have to change schools if you move to a different district school within the same year. If you want to, you can, but it is not required for that academic year. If you wanted to keep your child at that school the following years you'd simply apply for zoning exemption but it sounds like you'd be ok to change schools, just not mid-year.<br /> Could be worth looking into if this might be an option in your area too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822328 Mon, 14 May 2018 10:17:30 +0000 looch 2822328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think kids really react to what the adults around them are feeling, if you're nervous, they're nervous.</p> <p>I personally feel like I need to prepare my son to be resilient enough to move at any time. I wouldn't think twice about moving in the middle of the school year, particularly under third grade. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822276 Mon, 14 May 2018 07:55:36 +0000 Mamaof2 2822276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Carrot: Not sure how far you are moving but check with your district - here if you move mid-year you are allowed to stay in the same school until the end of the year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822256 Mon, 14 May 2018 05:28:36 +0000 MrsBucky 2822256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hypatia: if she is in the Dc area, DC, MD and VA all have mandatory kindergarten attendance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822252 Mon, 14 May 2018 03:04:29 +0000 Hypatia 2822252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kindergarten is not compulsory in most states. I would keep trying to sell the condo and not enroll her in school until you move, unless you can't afford to keep her home. I once heard a first grade teacher say she could always tell which students had gone to kindergarten. "Oh, because they're ahead of their peers who didn't attend?" No, she answered, they're indistinguishable from an academic standpoint. But the ones who've been to school before already know how to line up for the bathroom. </p> <p>I think it'd be a lot harder on her to leave her old school than wait and start school for the first time in the place she'll permanently be. If you're concerned about academics, you could always go over some kindy stuff with her in the meantime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822251 Mon, 14 May 2018 01:06:40 +0000 Ms. RV 2822251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Carrot: You would just incorporate the cost of the HELOC into what you charge for rent. If your mortgage is $1000 and your HELOC is $200 then you'd charge $1200. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822232 Sun, 13 May 2018 20:00:28 +0000 gingerbebe 2822232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you don’t sell by July, stay put and try again next year. I think you’re around DC? The market will look different after the midterms. I’d probably try in the meantime declutter and do small things like changing out handles or hardware or refreshing trim paint and work on making the place look staged. You might also think about hiring a realtor who has a phenomenal photographer for your listing. If you can manage to stay put a little bit longer, I think the market will also be better after the next presidential. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822230 Sun, 13 May 2018 19:52:57 +0000 lamariniere 2822230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't hesitate to move houses during the school year, but I would not want to move schools. Our K was very academic/rigorous and I would not have wanted to interrupt my DS's schooling midway through the year if I didn't absolutely have to. It was such a huge foundation year and every day was built on the previous day, and then of course the teacher had her specific method. I wouldn't want to make my kid deal with that kind of change. Is it possible to stay in the same school to finish out the year, even if you move? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822227 Sun, 13 May 2018 19:45:20 +0000 Foodnerd81 2822227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Carrot: is there anything that would make sense to do to your condo during the down time- facelift for the kitchen, painting, something like that- that might improve the sale in the spring? That’s so stressful. </p> <p>Oh also, would renting in your current district for the rest of the year be an option? Then you could jump on the right house next year without worrying about the sale<br /> Of the condo? But I know short term rentals are pretty hard to come by. (Eta I mean, if you sell the condo after the school year starts, renting until the spring/ summer when inventory picks up and you could buy and move into the new school district in the summer). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822225 Sun, 13 May 2018 19:33:42 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2822225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: we could but we’d have to pay it back, so I’m not sure how that’s a win. I admittedly don’t know much about HELOCs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822224 Sun, 13 May 2018 19:33:00 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2822224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: it’s the same here and there’s a lot of good house inventory right now but we’re stuck because of the condo. I’m worried about the lack of inventory once we get deeper into the year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822219 Sun, 13 May 2018 18:42:19 +0000 Foodnerd81 2822219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Carrot: also have you seen a fair number of houses in your current price range that empty would want to buy? Wondering what the usual inventory is like where you are. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822218 Sun, 13 May 2018 18:39:22 +0000 Ms. RV 2822218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you rent your condo out and use a HELOC for your down payment? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822217 Sun, 13 May 2018 18:38:21 +0000 Foodnerd81 2822217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would be worried about finding a buyer but then not finding a house you want to/ are able to buy, especially in the off season. Around here the big selling season is spring to summer. House certainly do sell outside of those times but there is just a lot less inventory. Ultimately I am sure your Lo would adjust if you have to switch mid year, but yeah. It would suck. For my own peace of mind I would probably take it off the market and start over in a few months. Are there any upgrades you could make that would help it sell? </p> <p>FWIW my neighbors put their house on the market in October (so, after the busy season here). Price drop in November. Took it off the market early January. Put back in the market at the original price in March and had one open house and sold it that week. They hadn’t done any renovations or improvements or anything in the meantime. But they are older empty nesters so didn’t have to worry about kids messing stuff up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-housingkindergarten-transitions#post-2822216 Sun, 13 May 2018 18:30:52 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2822216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, looking for some perspectives here. Hubby and I are in some disagreement about a potential situation we might be facing shortly. </p> <p>Kiddo starts kindergarten in August. In February, we put our condo on the market, assuming we’d sell and buy a house and be settled into a new place by school time. Unfortunately despite almost 4 months and 2 price drops, we’ve had no movement on the condo, and if we don’t get an offer and find a place by early July, we won’t be able to close in time for her to start a new school at the start of the year. </p> <p>A few conditions in our situation: 1) we have to sell our place in order to buy a house. It’s basically our down payment. We cannot carry 2 mortgages, renting isn’t an option, and we could sell and rent for a bit but we can’t afford rent and mortgage at the same time. That said, we don’t HAVE to sell. We want to upgrade, we need a bit more space, but there is no urgency for us to sell for any practical/urgent reasons. </p> <p>Decision we have to make is if we don’t sell by early July, do we stay on the market indefinitely and potentially have to move our daughter into a new school after the year starts, or go off the market and try again next year. We can also try a radical price drop, but we’re already nearing the bottom of our range and it’ll severely limit what kind of house we can buy. </p> <p>Hubby thinks it’s fine to move kiddo into a new school. I really don’t want her to have to move schools once K starts. Next year for 1st, fine, but mid year feels like a lot of transition for a little kid.</p> <p>Thoughts? WWYD? Some pros and cons we’re weighing:</p> <p>To stay put and go off market: we’re comfortable with our condo, we have a good commute, and we loved the school when we went for orientation. However, if we wait until next year, we may have just as little luck selling, and interest rates are going up fast, which also limits our options. </p> <p>If we stay on market, the biggest downside that I see is moving kiddo to a new school after she starts in the current one. We’ll also hit a market slowdown in the fall, so who knows if staying in market will even do anything. </p> <p>Would love your thoughts, and if there’s anything I may not be considering. Thanks! </p>