It all starts in our heads, more precisely in the neocortex and thalamus – where the imagination develops. We visualize our dream property and floor plan with great precision; the brain can even evoke the smell of fresh paint in our new home. Then you write down your guidelines and criteria, and calculate your budget. We pick up the phone to contact our trusted real estate broker. And we wait for the magic to happen. After a few visits, the indecision rises to the surface in the face of the real estate manna before us. “The one on Tuesday had the most beautiful garden, but the one I saw yesterday had the biggest, brightest living room. And the first one had one more room while staying within my budget. What to do?!” Take a deep breath. Here’s how to know if you’ve found the right property. Yes, you will.
Your GPS approves
Location is the first criterion to consider when looking for a new home. Are you flexible about the neighborhoods you’d like to live in? Understanding your needs will give you a clear answer. Is commuting your main concern? Does your home office require absolute silence? Would you rather have your grocery store just around the corner or a 10-minute drive? First-time homebuyers in Quebec are looking for a good location; it’s at the top of every buyer’s list. So, what does “good location” mean to you? If the answer is obvious, congratulations, you’re one step closer to finding the right property for you.
First impressions
If you’re looking for a property with your broker, you’ve probably seen quite a few. And the scenario doesn’t vary: you arrive, get out of your car and enter immediately. You feel nothing – the outside hadn’t aroused your curiosity, and inside, there’s no electricity in the air. If that’s the case, this property is probably not for you. Feeling a connection as you step inside is the first clue. “Oh, there’s something about this place that appeals to me, I’ve got a good feeling about it.” You should want to know more about this property, and you should feel a dose of euphoria. If you can imagine walking into this home every day and there’s an unpremeditated smile on your face, that’s an excellent sign.
(Good) suspense
You’re standing in front of the property, examining its façade. Do you feel curiosity bubbling up inside you? Or indifference? If you’re eager to discover every inch of its interior (and feel a certain exhilaration), this is certainly useful information to take into account. Your body is already sending you signals, intuitively knowing: “This could be the one.” Therefore, the fact that you can’t stand still and smile dreamily before entering a property is a good sign.
You can really afford it
Yes, okay, it’s a down-to-earth criterion. But if you ask us how to know if you’ve found the right property, our answer will always be: it’s better to follow your budget and be realistic than to stress over mortgage interest rates. In short, be sensible. Making an offer without a concrete financial plan is likely to backfire, leaving you no room to enjoy a property that has left you drowning in debt. If you find the perfect place, but it’s out of your budget, repeat to yourself: “Patience. There’s another one out there for me, and I’ll find it. All within my budget.” Finding the right real estate broker (and keeping a cool head) will get you where you want to be.
It makes you feel positive
There’s no such thing as the perfect property. Unless you buy a plot of land, hire an architect and oversee the entire process, from groundbreaking to finishing. There’s always a little something. A bit kitsch, too minimalist, the bedroom is too small, there’s no garden or the view is disappointing. But when you find your property, you forget about its negative aspects. You may notice them, but they won’t matter. Whatever your partner, family or friends say, you’ll reply, “I love it.” This may lead you to sign the papers the next day and move out of your old property at the drop of a hat. Even if it means getting your adrenalin pumping and having to deal with everything in a hurry. But you’ll have found your new home.
You can’t give it up
When you buy a property, you’re constantly afraid of missing out on other opportunities. “What if I find a better one? What if there’s one in a nicer neighborhood? What if I make the wrong decision?” But now your palms are sweaty. You need this property. Now. When you find the right property, you stop wondering. You just know. And we’re afraid to lose it. Our mind doesn’t wander, and we don’t mentally revisit the other properties we’ve seen. It stays fixed on one goal, and focuses on it: owning this property. Now. The memory of all the other homes you’ve visited fades effortlessly. That’s how you know. This is the one.
Welcome to your home
If you’ve already done a lot of open house, you can tell the friendly properties from the less friendly ones. You know you’ve potentially found the right one when you have an enveloping sense of familiarity. If you can’t help but make arrangements in your head, while talking to yourself: “The emerald sofa I bought recently goes here; this is where I’d hang such and such paintings, and this little extra room is perfect for my craft room.” Let’s face it: if you’re doing this, you’ve already moved in. And that’s a great sign. But as magnetic as this property is, take note of any negatives. Because that leaves you room to negotiate the price of the property.
Find your nest
It’s never easy. It takes patience, perseverance and a lot of “No, thanks.” If you’re still wondering how to know if you’ve found the right property, it’s exactly as we described: you’ll know it when you see it.