Opinions wanted....Please help ! !

Sorry so long....but I am so torn as to what to do….opinions please…. or maybe a BTDT mom HELP ! ! !

DH, DD and I currently live in a 2nd floor apartment. It’s defiantly big enough for the three of us (and our kitten) and I love our landlords. Thing is, now that house prices are lower than last year when DH and I got married, we are finally in the range that we can afford a house, and would really like to start looking. Now, here’s the problem…..

Before DH and got married, we didn’t live together. DD and I were living with my dad, and she was in an elementary school for 3 years there (K, 1 & 2). When we got our apartment we were able to find one in an area that we thought we would be able to afford to buy in once prices went down a bit. She is finishing up 3rd grade in the new school this week. Thing is, prices in Salisbury haven’t gone down enough…but prices in Levittown & Island Trees SD have.

I really don’t want to change her again, but DH and I really want to get our own house. From the moment we moved in to our apartment I have told her that when we move again it will be into a house, and although she might have to change schools again, any move that DH and I make will be to give us all a better life. I have talked to her about how we’ll have a backyard (b/c we don’t have access where we are living now) how we will be able to have her bike at the house (right now it’s at my dad’s in Hicksville) and how we won’t have to worry about making too much noise (b/c our landlords live under us, we always try to walk with “quiet feet”)

I was talking to her about it last night again, saying that DH and I want to really start to go out and look, and that if we make this move it will probably be after she starts in September so she will probably be changing mid year, but I PROMISED her that it will be the last move we made until she graduated High School (9 years from now)

Do you think we should wait a little longer and see if houses drop a bit more, or have they pretty much hit a low? I don’t want to wait too long and then get hit with a super high interest rate though. My “perfect plan” would be to start looking over the summer, and be in by the end of the year. But I don’t want all these school changes to really affect my daughter. She seemed to do well with the move from 2nd to 3rd in a new school, but now to move again…..will I be scarring her for life??

Opinions please....TIA ! !

Re: Opinions wanted....Please help ! !

moving when the child is younger is probably better. it doesnt effect kids that badly, unless its something thats done frequently.

I moved when i was entering 6th grade, my brother was entering 9th grade, and my sister 2nd grade. We all turned out ok. I woulda been more PO'ed if is was like middle of senior year or something like that and you know during those rebellious teenage years.

as far as prices of real estate i dunno about that stuff.

HTH

ETA: it seems u have prepared her, and told her the pros of moving, thats a good thing so i think it should be ok on her end, its not like it will be a surprise. Just talk to your daughter and let her know whats up. She might want to maybe get contact info on her friends at school, in case the move does happen b4 school starts again in sept.

Message edited 6/23/2008 4:15:19 PM.

Re: Opinions wanted....Please help ! !

I am also in Salisbury and I know of some houses in the area that are going for pretty low prices, and some that are in foreclosure.

Re: Opinions wanted....Please help ! !

I think you should go for it now. Prices and interest rates are down. There are probably even more sellers that have to sell and you might even be able to get a better deal than asking price.

I switched schools a lot in elementary school. In the middle of first grade my parents bought their house and we moved to a different district. After 2nd grade I was put in parochial school, we didn't move but it was all different kids. In 7th grade I left the parochial school and went back to the district schools. I knew a few people from the neighborhood and remembered some from early elementary but it was still a big adjustment.

Based on how the changes affected me and my brother, my DH and I feel it's ok to make changes up until about 5th grade, of course there are circumstances where you have to move later and there isn't anything wrong with that either. My point is that based on what I experienced I think your DD should be able to adjust well in a new class.

Re: Opinions wanted....Please help ! !

As a teacher, I think you should do it now and not wait. Your DD might be upset at first, even cry but kids are resilient. She will be fine. The longer you wait, the harder it will be for her. JMO Good Luck

Re: Opinions wanted....Please help ! !

I think the earlier you do it with your daughter the better. She will adjust in no time.

I have a buyer now - who has three kids - one is 13, one is 9, and one is 6. The kids are so excited to move. They are decorating their room the way they want - and are excited for the big new house.

Change is never easy so I think it's best to do it while she's young!

Re: Opinions wanted....Please help ! !

I think it would be better to make the move now. What if you wait longer and the prices don't significantly drop where you are now...then she will be even older. IMO the younger the better. Good luck with your search!!

Re: Opinions wanted....Please help ! !

Thank you everyone for your opinions. I sat with DD last night and we made a pro/con list. She had 3 cons and 7-8 pros. So she was able to see for herself that they pros were more.

Then she told me "if that's what we have to do, then that's what we'll do" I'm glad I have her approval !

Thanks again for your opinions!!