Finding the ideal living space isn’t always as simple as it seems, especially as demand in Toronto picks up. It’s not unusual for a home hunter to find several properties that could work with their family’s needs, budget, and preferences—without feeling certain about any of them.
While most home buyers believe that their decisions are rational, the truth is that the majority of successful purchases are made based on a combination of logic and emotion. It’s as much about the way that a home makes you feel as it is about how well it will serve you on a practical level.
The trick to ensuring you secure the right home is to get your heart and head working together. That way, you end up with a place you will love not only the day you get the keys but also long after you move in.
If you’re unsure about whether a particular house or condo is right for you, here are seven telltale signs to look for.
1) It checks off most (or all) of your boxes
Every buyer has a list of essential features and amenities that they’re looking for in a home. These items usually range from basic requirements (like the number of bedrooms you need) to things that will significantly improve your family’s quality of life (such as close proximity to nearby parks).
While a dream home is more than just the sum of its parts, it should also satisfy your most important criteria.
If your vision isn’t quite clear, start by grabbing a pen and paper and writing out your wish list. Put everything on it to start with, not just the features you think are practical right now. While you’re at it, think of some things you want to avoid, such as being too close to a busy street.
Lastly, you’ll also want to know what compromises you’re willing to make. You don’t necessarily want to pass up an excellent home in the pursuit of perfection. Working with an experienced real estate agent will ensure you won’t overlook a hidden gem because of an easy fix.
Once you begin budgeting and looking at houses, you can focus on only those that check the boxes that are most important to you.
Do you want more advice on how to find the perfect home in the current market? A few of our recent articles can help!
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2) You’re decorating it in your mind
One of the surest signs a house is right for you is if you can already “see” yourself living there as you walk through the first time. If you start mentally redecorating, it could be a sign that you’ve found the one.
Whether you’re envisioning a coat of paint in a new colour, or thinking about where your existing furniture will go, you’re dreaming of your potential future. While forward thinking is a big part of hunting for a home, it takes a special house or condo to spur your imagination into action.
3) You don’t see the downsides
It’s rare for a home to go on the market in perfect condition, and deciding which flaws you’re willing to accept is almost always part of the buying process.
But if you walk through so enthralled that these flaws don’t bother you – or you don’t even see them – then it’s a sign of love at first sight.
An experienced and trustworthy real estate agent will ensure that you’re aware of a home’s potential defects and that there are no major deal-breakers before you purchase. Once you’ve found the right house or condo, you’ll likely be more willing to accept the repairs it needs—or to work towards a deal in which the seller will pay for them.
4) Other homes look worse by comparison
In the real world, there could be many homes that could meet your needs. The truth is, buyers often wind up considering properties that they’re not excited about, especially when breaking into the market for the first time.
But you don’t want just any house, and you have no intentions of settling for something you don’t love. You are also aware that your distinguishing tastes may mean it takes longer to find the right one.
When you do find your ultimate dream home, it will just feel different. As soon as you see it, you’ll forget all about those other options you were on the fence about.
Do you want to know more about how the buying and selling process works? A few of our latest posts can shed some light on the situation:
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5) You find yourself talking about it
As human beings, one of the primary ways we connect with one another is by sharing good news. If a lot of your conversations with friends and relatives are circling back to the finer points of a particular home, it probably means something. A straightforward comparison between two or more properties is one thing, but bragging about a specific house or condo (or verbally running through its positive attributes) could be a sign that you’re already feeling like you own it.
6) It Passes a Home Inspection
So far, we’ve addressed the more emotional and practical aspects of your home search. But not every attribute of a house is visible just by looking at it. A homeowner with a flair for decorating can hide more than cosmetic imperfections.
That’s why it’s important to know your rights and understand what a seller must disclose and what you must ask about before you begin placing offers. A home inspection can feel like an added step that slows down your purchase. However, you will be glad you did your due diligence if a house you would have otherwise not purchased has major structural issues.
If you still love the house in spite of any flaws, the results from a home inspection will be an excellent bargaining tool to help you get the best price. You can turn that property into your perfect dream home with the money you save.
7) It Meets Your Future Needs
Just because a home checks off all of your boxes today doesn’t mean it will always be perfect. Years from now, you might want more or less space. Or you might want an additional storey or for everything to be all on one level. Alternatively you might want to move to a more exciting area or a more peaceful neighbourhood.
Life can be unpredictable, and your needs and wishes are likely to change over time. The right house may not be ideal forever, but it will more than meet your needs for a long time.
Determining which home is right for your family is no easy task. Fortunately, with a bit of mental preparation and some guidance from an experienced real estate agent, you can locate and identify the property of your dreams.
Are you excited to begin searching for your perfect home in Toronto? We are excited to guide you through the process from start to finish! Reach out today to ana@asantos.ca or call 647.232.7317 to take the next step.