I’m a real estate agent; day, night, and weekends I show people their dream homes. I open the doors to one-bedroom condos, million-dollar lake homes, and every type of home in between. I love it, but the job can give me the ultimate housing FOMO.
I struggle with the “love it or list it” syndrome. I won’t claim to be in our forever home, but moving isn’t in the plans right now. I’ve put a lot of thought into how I would make a strong effort to love the home we’re in this year.
Raise your hand if you know someone who moved in the past three years. The conditions were optimal to get a low-interest rate on your mortgage, cash out on the equity you built in your house, and move on to your next home.
The right time to sell your home will always be when you are ready. Real estate is highly personal, and while there are many reasons to move, there can also be many reasons to stay.
Reasons to love the home you are in.
- Updated systems: Since becoming homeowners, we have updated major systems that will keep our house running efficiently for many years.
- The neighborhood: Our neighborhood is quiet, and our neighbors treat my children like their own. We are close to shopping and highways yet tucked away in a neighborhood.
- Schools: Are you happy in your school district? All three of my children will FINALLY be in the same school in September, and there is no way I would disrupt that.
- Easy commute: Would a move make getting to work inconvenient?
Things I have done to embrace the home I’m in.
- Update paint: Paint is fun and can change your feelings about a room. You can add an accent wall or refresh the whole room.
- New furniture: Our couch was eight years old and had been through everything with our three kids; replacing it made me feel completely different about our living room.
- Refinish furniture: My spring goal is to refinish two tables for our living room. A hand sander and some paint can transform a piece that may be dated into something brand new.
- Little changes: Sometimes, just a slight change makes a huge difference. Rearrange the furniture, change pictures in frames, get a new bedding set, or update the color scheme.
- Organization: Every January, I go crazy rearranging toys, purging, and finding better solutions to store things in our home. I’m not Marie Kondo, but it does spark a bit of joy.
