The first date with your dream home can feel like love at first sight.  I was showing a home four years ago and when we got as far in as the kitchen, my client waved her hand and said, “Call the listing agent and tell her it is sold. We are buying it, just take it off the market.” She never turned to look at me. Too enamored with her surroundings, I just got a wave and my instructions. Those were the wild west market days of 2021. Emotions were running high. A bit tongue in cheek, I complied and called the listing agent telling her to expect an offer. My client was in love.

The honeymoon phase of buying your dream home

In the world of real estate, buyers often experience a whirlwind of emotions akin to those felt in the early stages of a romantic relationship. It starts with that initial spark, that undeniable feeling of attraction when you look at a property that seems to have everything you’ve ever dreamed of. You walk through the front door and suddenly, you’re envisioning your future there – dinners in the cozy kitchen, lazy Sunday afternoons in the sunlit living room, and late-night conversations on the porch under a blanket of stars.

Falling off cloud nine after the home inspection: from in love to in like

Just like what often happens in dating, the honeymoon phase doesn’t last forever. Reality sets in when the inspection report comes back with a laundry list of issues you hadn’t noticed before. Suddenly, those rose-tinted glasses are shattered, and you’re faced with the harsh truth that your dream home might not be as perfect as you initially thought. Do you walk away, or do you stay and try to work through it?

For some, this is where the relationship ends. They realize that the flaws are too significant to overlook, and they reluctantly say goodbye to the house they thought was “the one.”  Armed with a newfound sense of what they truly need and want in a home, they embark on another round of house hunting.  But for others, this is just the beginning of a new chapter in their love story. They roll up their sleeves, have tough conversations, break out the calculator, and negotiate their way back to love.  Money makes things go away. Rarely is everything perfect.  It just has to be perfect for you.

Just like people, houses have flaws. Getting to yes when buying your dream home. 

Getting to the actual closing table happens (or doesn’t) after a series of emotional highs and lows. What flaws make or break the deal are up to each unique buyer, seller or both, and sometimes the lender. The closing is the actual commitment ceremony.

Just like in matters of the heart, finding the perfect home requires patience, perseverance, and a little bit of faith. Be mindful too, your dream house may appear in other buyers’ dreams. When you find your perfect match – don’t wait too long to write an offer.  There’s nothing worse than feeling like it’s the one that got away. If it does happen, take heart, like fish in the sea, there are more dreams to come and so is the perfect match. If it’s meant to be – it will be, maybe just not right now.

Just like dating – finding the perfect home often begins online.

I can remember my first REALTOR giving me her expired 3″ thick book of homes for sale from the two weeks prior.  Back then there was no website or app to swipe for houses.  You got in your car and drove around looking for signs or waited for the Sunday paper.  Now, it’s all instantaneous, on demand and at your fingertips.  As soon as I digitally marketing a new listing, it starts to syndicate multiple.  Between social media marketing and b2b channels, I get my listings in front of a nationwide audience quickly.  With our attention spans getting shorter and shorter with all of the media overload – it’s easy to accidently swipe left on house that may just be a diamond in the rough.

Having a custom home search created is an ideal complement to finding the perfect home on your own.  It can be specific enough to focus on your dream home criteria, while also maintaining a short list of what might be worth a second look.  I’m here to help navigate the journey and help find the perfect match. 

There is love in real estate. Finding the perfect home is like dating. Falling in love, initial spark, ups and downs. Just like people, houses have flaws. The process of buying your dream home is less about buying something perfect. It’s more about finding something perfect for you.