We were halfway through packing up our living room—the same one where all four of my kids had once scattered Legos across the carpet like confetti, when I realized something. We hadn’t budgeted for… well, anything that comes with selling a home.
Not the deep-cleaning service.
Not the junk-hauling.
Not even the staging pillows I impulse-bought (and now kind of love!).
As a mom, I really appreciate being organized. But no matter how many color-coded lists I make, selling a family home comes with costs you don’t see coming until they’re staring you in the face (and your garage is full of donation boxes).
It’s not just about the moving truck or the bubble wrap. It’s the babysitter you scramble to find during a last-minute showing. The meals you order because the kitchen has to stay spotless. The emotional cost of watching your little one tearfully pack up their favorite room.
These are the kinds of things you don’t factor into the spreadsheet. But as moms, we feel every single one of them.
And then, of course, there’s the commission.
I’ve always understood that real estate agents earn a living through commissions. That’s fair. But when we sold our last home, I remember glancing at the final breakdown… and it brought tears to my eyes.
Five or six percent of the sale price might not sound like much until you’re looking at a check that could have gone toward college savings or a long-overdue vacation.
Some agents really do go above and beyond, though. I loved reading this piece from a Portland-based broker about what the process actually looks like when it’s done with care, clarity, and transparency. It’s written in such a real, down-to-earth way (and even though we weren’t selling in Portland, I found myself nodding along).
While doing a bit more research, I also came across a Canadian article that helps make sense of what real estate commissions actually cover and it really opened my eyes. Even though it’s written for sellers up north, I absolutely love how clearly it explains different pricing models, especially for families trying to figure out the difference between full-service and discount agents.
Selling your home isn’t just emotional, it’s legal. Things like ownership rights, titles, contracts, and inspections can feel overwhelming (even for those of us who read the fine print on toy boxes). If you haven’t already, I shared a post earlier this year called “Homeowners’ Essentials: A Brief Guide to Property Ownership & Laws”. It’s full of the basics I wish I’d known before we signed on the dotted line, and yes, it covers things like zoning, mortgages, and building codes (without the headache!).
And if you’re doing all of this while trying to keep toddlers from painting the walls or teenagers from rolling their eyes at house tours, you are not alone. I wrote this post on moving with kids a while back, and everything still rings true. My favorite tip? Make the move into an adventure. Let them decorate a “moving day box” or help plan their new room. It brought a smile from ear to ear when my grandson drew a treasure map to his new bedroom closet!
It’s those little things that help soften the hard parts.
Selling our home wasn’t just about numbers. It was about packing away years of birthday parties, bedtime stories, and morning rushes out the door. It was a season of change, wrapped in cardboard boxes and prayers.
And while the money part matters (especially with commissions!), I’ve learned that asking the right questions ahead of time makes all the difference.
Because in the end, it’s not just about the house. It’s about the memories you’ve made, and the peace of mind you carry into your next chapter.
What a blessing it is to move forward… prepared.
