3 Ways to Make Every House Your ‘Dream Home’
Why do we think we can’t have our dream home right now? Many people believe their dream or ideal home is entirely out of reach – like you have to amass a significant amount of money or be at another stage of life to get it. But the reality is every house (or apartment) you live in from now into eternity can be very fulfilling and supportive to the visions you have for an amazing home. But, you have to begin by focusing on just 3 factors.
1. Location, Location, Location
It’s the number one rule in real estate, but it’s often overlooked. A home in a more desired location has a higher value compared to the same exact house in a less desired area. Not just monetarily speaking, but it’s also valuable to what a person intrinsically feels. Think about it. Home is not just the house we live in – it’s also the neighborhood where it sits, the neighbors, the local stores we shop in, the restaurants, the schools our kids go to, and neighborhood programs. It’s the community that supports us, gives us a sense of belonging, and can also empower us. It’s all of these every day things coming together that helps us feel right at home when we’ve been away from it for a while. To find the right location, you have to immerse yourself in it. Visit the shops and restaurants, talk to the neighbors and people you meet and ask them what life is like there. They’ll tell you. Also try to drive through the community at different times during the day or week to see how the town ebbs and flows.
2. Layout
The layout of a home can dictate how easy or difficult it is for the people who live inside it to function. If you have young children, for instance, an open floor plan might be more ideal for you to keep an eye on them while you’re in the kitchen cooking dinner. While a house with people in an older demographic may want more walls for a bit more personal space. You may also want to consider a home where the bedrooms are smaller to allow for more space in the common areas where more people are likely to gather. It’s important to envision yourself living there and how you and your family will flow through the home doing the things you do.
3. Square Footage
Gone are the days where everyone is looking for a sprawling, palatial, super sized home. People would much prefer to diversify their expenses and not spend it all on housing. But size still matters, and square footage can get eaten up very quickly. So it would be worth the effort to get a floor plan and measurements of the rooms of the home so you can get an idea of what the space would look like and how it would function with furniture in place. Cubicasa is a great app that can help you get a floor plan in minutes. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, or if you are living alone or with a partner and don’t have a big family – something on the smaller side may be all you need. But if you entertain or have a larger family you may need a bit more space, or maybe you can be creative with your furniture options and placement. A lot can be done with a little. Ultimately it’s about realistic with what you need to feel like you’re living in a home that suits you.
Bonus: What Not to Focus On
The worst thing you can do when you don’t have all of the money in the world; but want any home you choose to be an oasis for you is to judge it by its cosmetic features. Details like the color of the walls and cabinets, the condition of the appliances, carpet, and flooring material can all be upgraded or changed, but can cause you to miss a perfect opportunity. Those are the special touches you make after securing the right foundation and structure that ultimately make it your dream home.
