The Unexpected Way My Four-Year-Old Sometimes Helps My Buyers Find the Right Home

When I became a mom, I expected a lot of things to change. My sleep schedule. My priorities. My coffee consumption.

What I didn't expect was how much it would change the way I help my real estate clients.

If you've ever toured houses with a preschooler, you know it's... an adventure.

One minute you're trying to picture where your couch would go, and the next you're chasing a tiny human who's discovered the staircase, opened every closet door, or suddenly decides they're starving or need to go potty. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make, yet parents are often trying to make that decision while entertaining, redirecting, and negotiating with their little ones at the same time.

I get it because I've been there.

My daughter, Georgia, is almost five, and becoming her mom has completely changed the way I think about helping families buy a home.

One of my favorite (and admittedly unexpected) things that sometimes happens is that Georgia comes along on a showing when it's a good fit. If my clients have young children around her age and everyone is excited about the idea, she instantly becomes my littlest assistant.

As a mom, I've also learned to keep a stash of kid-friendly snacks in my car, and I genuinely love the chance to help entertain little ones during showings. Whether it's coloring, playing "I Spy," looking for ladybugs in the backyard, imagining where the playroom might be, or chatting about their favorite animals, I'm always happy to jump in. I know that if I can keep the kids happy and engaged for a little while, their parents get something incredibly valuable: the chance to really experience the home.

And every once in a while, Georgia joins in too. She has a special way of making instant friends, and before long they're off exploring the yard together, picking out which bedroom they'd want, or making up imaginative games while we tour the home.

Meanwhile, Mom and Dad get something they rarely have during a showing: the chance to actually look at the house.

They can open cabinets, ask questions, notice details, and picture their future there without feeling like they have to rush through every room because someone is climbing the stairs or asking for another snack. They get a chance to slow down, take it all in, and decide whether the home truly feels right for their family.

It's a small thing, but sometimes it's exactly what they need.

Of course, every family is different, and Georgia certainly doesn't come to every showing. But when the timing is right, it's been such a fun surprise for everyone involved. Watching kids connect so naturally reminds me that buying a home isn't just about square footage or countertops. It's about imagining where life will happen.

Becoming a mom has changed so much more than the way I show homes.

I notice things I never would have paid attention to before. I think about sightlines from the kitchen to the backyard. I notice where backpacks and muddy boots might end up after school. I point out quiet cul-de-sacs where kids can ride bikes, nearby parks and playgrounds, and floor plans that make everyday family life just a little bit easier.

I also have a much deeper appreciation for how emotional buying a home can be. You're not just choosing a house. You're choosing where birthday parties will be celebrated, where your kids will take their first steps, where they'll build forts in the living room, and where they'll make memories they'll carry with them forever.

Those are big decisions, and they deserve more than someone unlocking doors and telling you how many square feet a home has.

Real estate is about so much more than contracts and negotiations. It's about understanding what matters most to the people you're helping.

Being Georgia's mom has made me more patient, more understanding, and more thoughtful. It's reminded me to slow down, to see homes through my clients' eyes, and to remember that every family is different. What feels perfect for one family might not be right for another, and that's okay. My job isn't to sell you a house. It's to help you find the one that feels like home.

At the end of the day, I don't just want my clients to find the right home. I want them to actually enjoy the journey of getting there.

If I can make house hunting a little less stressful, a little more fun, and maybe even create a few happy memories along the way, then I'd say that's a pretty great day at work.