You know, I was thinking ( I tend to do that sometimes) about love. I was thinking about how love and finding a new home are a lot alike. Two of the biggest decisions you will make in life is finding a dream home and finding a dream mate. Both decisions come with a lot of soul searching and it's something you will definitely put a lot of thought and heart into. Here are some things to think about when searching for a home:
1. Looking For Love
2. Playing The Field
3. Chemistry/Compatibility
4. Second Opinions
5. Making A Commitment
1. Looking For Love
- You never want to be looking for love in all the wrong places. When you are looking for a home you want to make sure it's an area you like and it's a place you feel comfortable in. Years ago, I can remember in Sunday School class when our teachers made us right down what we thought we wanted in a soul mate. My lists looked like this:
Dream Mate: Tall, Dark, Handsome, Witty, Funny, Stocky, Ambitious, Respectful, Caring, Generous, Giving, Loving, Compassionate, Spontaneous, Trustworthy, Dependable, Career Oriented, Nice smile, Good teeth, Cute feet, Fashionable, Successful, Hard working, Good relationship with parents, Clean, Musically inclined, Goes to church, Considerate, Goofy, Passionate, etc
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Finding a soul mate is a lot like finding a home. You've got to know what you want before you get on the playing field. It's kind of like going to the grocery store without a list, you might end up with a lot of things that you don't actually need. Make a list of all the things you want in a home. No one ever said there was anything wrong with being picky and to the point. Just like finding a soul mate, you want to find something that you are going to be comfortable with, something you can enjoy and afford.
Dream Home: Brick, Hardwood floors, Ceiling Fans, Two-story, Fenced backyard, Tile Floor, Carpet, Vaulted Ceilings, Walk-in closets, Jacuzzi Tub, His & Her Sinks, Separate shower, Surround Sound, Security System, Golf Course, Pool, Office nook, Breakfast nook, Wet bar, 4BR/2BA, Bonus room, Laundry inside, Club house, 2 car garage, Patio, Landscaped, Dining area, Living room, Storage space, Stainless steel appliances, Attic, etc
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So, when looking for a home (just like searching for that diamond in the ruff), it's good to know what you want. Don't be afraid to be picky. You wouldn't settle for less when choosing the love of your life so definitely don't settle for less when choosing your home.
2. Playing The Field
- I can't think or name one person that I know of that dated only one person, fell in love and got married. Can you? If so, great...if not, join the club. It's very seldom that you are going to view one home and buy it. Actually, I wouldn't suggest it. I have always told my friends to get out there, go date, meet new people. You won't know what you are missing unless you venture out. Even if you think you've found "the one", it's good to have others to compare them to. Who knows, the "others" might just make that one special house look even more fantastic. So, play the field when you are searching for a home. After you make a list of what you are searching for, show this to your agent. This will allow them to get an idea of what you are wanting. This will allow you to play the real estate field.
3. Chemistry/Compatibility
-Have you ever dated someone that was intensely hot but something was just...well, missing? It happens all the time, something just "isn't" there. You could find what you think is the home of your dreams but you just don't have that 'gut' feeling about it. It's very important that you have chemistry with the home that you buy, you and your home need to be compatible. Yes, I said compatible. This is where you will be waking up every morning and going to sleep every night. You wouldn't want to wake up to someone who you had no chemistry with would you? Don't answer that! :) Keep "Chemistry" in mind when searching for your dream home.
4. History
- I'm not sure what Dr. Phil says but if you want to know where someone is going, take a look at their history. History is usually a predictor of the future. I made the mistake of being engaged to someone whose history I knew nothing about. I only went on what I knew in the "moment", needless to say...I'm not engaged anymore. It's good to know a little history about your dream home. It's not something that will make or break the situation but it's always interesting to hear about where you will be living. Also, what about the history of the neighborhood? What kind of neighborhood is it?Do they hold yearly get together? Are the neighbors friendly? Is there a history of drunken block parties? Hey, block parties aren't that bad unless you, um, aren't really into block parties. If I could do it all over again I would have gotten a background check on everyone I dated growing up, maybe you should look a little deeper into the background of the home and neighborhood you might be moving into.
5. Second Opinions
- You know, while looking for love through out my life there have been several occasions where I just wasn't "sure". You know, sometimes we live in our own little bubble and it's hard to see things for how they really are. My fathers is one opinion that I trust 100%. Sometimes other people can see things that we can't. If you are "iffy" about the home you are looking at, get a second opinion. Granted, you will be the one that is living in the home but sometimes it just makes us more at ease knowing that we are making the right decision and someone else agrees.So, if you are confused with what your gut is telling you, do what I did...and get someone else's opinion.
6. Making The Commitment
- Eeeck, what a scary word, right? It doesn't have to be. After doing your soul searching, making a list of what you want, playing the field, finding the chemistry, researching the history and getting a second opinion...you just might have found "the one". Now, it's time to but the petal to the metal and make that commitment.
I hate it when a former client gets into trouble.
