Can’t Find A Home You Love? Try These 5 Things.
Jennifer Johnson
Connector. Supporter. Business Grower. I help business owners expand their referral base, make meaningful connections and increase their profits.
“We shape our homes, and then our homes shape us.” - Winston Churchill
I absolutely love this quote. Every home is unique and customized with the homeowners personal style and comforts. We shape our homes into what we want them to be. And then our homes shape us by holding memories, milestones, and becoming the place that provides comfort, protection, and solace.
When looking for a new home, it’s easy to get stuck on the idea of a “dream home”.
We all know what our dream home looks like. Mine is floor to ceiling windows stretching the full length of the house. Let ALL the sun shine in!
Your dream home may have rustic wood beams, or a double oven, or heated bathroom floors. But what happens when our dream home isn’t on the market? It’s easy to get frustrated with the options available when you know what you want and it’s just not available.
As a Concierge Realtor, it’s my job to make house hunters happy. Sometimes, that requires a little creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. And sometimes elbow grease! Trust me when I say, any home can become your dream home!
5 Tips for Shaping Any Home Into A Home You Love
When you can’t find a home you love, here are my expert tips for shaping any house into a home you love.
1. Focus on what you love about the house. Make a list of things that you love about the house: Big windows, spacious yard, modern master suite, etc. Doing this may make you realize that there are just one or two things that you don’t love…and either you can live with them or they might be easy to fix!
I especially find it handy to bring along a notepad and pen when house hunting. For each house, draw two columns and label one side “things I love” and the other side “things I don’t love”. It’s helpful to see the list side-by-side but to also be able to refer back to it later and discuss options for shaping the home into a home you love.
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2. Change your mindset about things you don’t love. OK, I hear you. That pink bathtub from the 1990s is hideous. And the wallpaper in the dining room is peeling and atrocious. But an ugly bathtub and wallpapered wall shouldn’t stand in your way from buying a home that has everything else you love!
When you are making your love/don’t love list, leave room beside each item to write down possible solutions to the things you don’t love. I know amazing contractors who turn outdated bathrooms into personal spa-like santionaries. Wallpaper can be removed and crisp, neutral paint can be applied in a single day.
3. Know your style. Have you heard of a mood board? These are physical or digital collages of all the things you love - colors, fabric, tile, etc. Creating a mood board can direct your focus when imagining how you’d like to design a space. It’s possible to take a boring, or eccentric, room and transform it to your own personal paradise by simply adding your own personal touches and design flair. Don’t underestimate the power of a pillow or lamp to make your home feel like a dream. Adding things you love will shape your home into a home you love.
4. Embrace the challenge. Instead of being frustrated that you can’t find your dream home, take on the challenge of turning an “OK” home into your dream home.
For example, if your dream home is 5,000 square feet and everything within your budget is 3,000 square feet, take it as a challenge to make 3,000 feel like 5,000. There are organization gurus and interior design experts that share their tips for making a space feel bigger, brighter, and bolder. A good challenge is healthy for the mind, right?
5. Find a good partner to bring your vision to life! If you need help changing your mindset, doing renovations, redecorating, or organizing, hire someone to help.
As a Concierge Realtor, I serve my clients by not only recommending clients, but also managing the scheduling and appointment visits so that you don’t have to. Just think about it - you never have to leave work or change your schedule. Talk about a dream come true!
If you are ready to find your dream home – or transform any home into a home you love – I’d love to partner with you as your Concierge Realtor. I’m passionate about helping people find their dream homes… or houses that they can shape into their dream homes. Contact me today!