Is it love at first sight? The one that made your heart skip a beat. Was the charmer or the one needing a little bit of work? Maybe it was the one that got away.
No, we are not talking about a love match. We are talking about the house hunting journey. Finding your perfect dream home is like the elusive search for “The One”. The more you think about it, the more you will see the similarities between finding the right person and the right property. Both take time, patience, effort, and even heartbreaks before you can settle down with your special one.
In this article, we discuss the similarities we have noticed between dating and house hunting with tips to help you find your most eligible candidate!
- What you see online is not always what you get.
Whether it is a home or a person, you can only tell so much from looking at photos. Listing photos are like online dating profiles—sometimes what you see is not always what you get. There may be houses that look the best in photographs but may be disappointing in person. Whereas those with terrible pictures turn out to have incredible character and bones. The key is to keep an open mind and consider the potential in those with cosmetic flaws falling just a little short of perfection.
Likewise, carefully check the listing descriptions. They could offer hints and tips about the property that you might not be able to glean from the photos.
- You must do your background research.
Whether it is a person or a property, you need to do deep background checks once you have found a potential match. Do not be deceived by their appearance alone.
Especially before buying a house. There are several ways you can do your homework. Explore the neighborhood at various times and days of the week. Visit nearby restaurants and shops, talk to potential neighbors, and learn about the quality of schools. It is advisable to check the latest crime rates and look up the history of the house. If something feels off, talk with your realtor: they will be your guide to guarantee you will not be investing in the wrong property.
- You know what you want but be prepared to make a compromise.
When it comes to finding the one, you need to remember that no house or partner is perfect. You will not find your 100 percent match. Therefore, it is important to know and understand what you really need versus what you want.
You might be following a set of standards when you are just starting to date—tall, dark, handsome, paired with a good sense of humor, etc. Dating someone for their looks alone might be fun at first, but without substance, the relationship will not last. The same is true when you are looking for your next home. You might have fallen in love with a house because of its beautiful and spacious porch or a huge backyard, but it does not have an extra bedroom or lacks the storage space you need for your family. If it does not fit your needs, however beautiful it may be, you could end up regretting it later. Therefore, you must prepare your list of priorities even before buying a home. When a listing or property is at least 85 percent a match for your must-have list, you might need to compromise with the remaining 15 percent.
- You cannot rush such a big decision.
Like relationships, buying a house is a huge commitment. Unless your house hunt requires urgency, you should not rush such a huge life decision. The reality is that it is going to take time and effort to find “The One.”
For starters, viewing properties is very time-consuming, so patience will be your best ally. In many real estate markets, home get snatched up by buyers even before the listings are updated online. You might be able to send a purchase offer, but there is a lot of competition among buyers sparking bidding wars. Therefore, it is important to prepare yourself and not get overly invested too quickly, as it could lead to several house-hunting heartbreaks.
There might not be as many fish in the sea because of the current low inventory but trust the process. If you are strategic with your house hunt with the help of an experienced real estate agent, you will be able to find the right home at the right time.
