All the Feels: The Emotional Side of Buying a Home
It’s easy to consider the many clinical aspects of the property ladder, construction sector and real estate world: their cycles, price points and nuances. But buried inside this analytical framework is a much more elusive element and that’s emotion – the deepest form of that being love.
Why do people love different types of homes, certain neighborhoods or property features? Isle Crawford, a renowned designer, teacher and creator, in one of her book’s entitled Home Is Where the Heart Is, wrote: “what do we all want? We can look around and see what’s new but today what’s really radical is to look inside of ourselves as we search for a home.”
So, what’s wanted and what’s not? Depending on your age, means and history of purchasing, this might be totally different. Although there is no scientific consensus on the definition of emotions, invariably their presence is felt constantly when a property purchase is made. I’ve been party to the full gamut of emotions associated with property purchase, from elated highs and lows on auction day, to tantrums at missing out in a negotiation situation and tears of joy at securing that house of which dreams are made. As a sales consultant, you will meet up with young parents looking to capture school zones for the future whilst they’re hopefully enjoying great space in the present and older parents stepping up to provide financial assistance for grown children who need additional support.
Needless to say, the emotions governing both these decisions are different; one being anticipation and excitement, the other being a little less excited and definitely more measured.
How about emotional factors that precede locational purchases, like being near the water, having a view of the city or mountains, or ownership in prestigious areas. Some emotions pull so strongly and are so recognizable that there are articles written on how to counter them. These are an easy find online and one such article had this to say: “[because] it’s a major financial decision home-buying requires a business minded approach.” It was an article submitted on behalf of a banking institution and it had dire warnings for first-home buyers in particular to prioritize matters of the head over the heart, and I don’t necessarily disagree. It’s expensive and heartbreaking when you get it wrong and deeply gratifying when you get that combination of lifestyle needs and budget requirements right.
That’s emotionally fulfilling and probably a goal of everyone looking for just the right home.
Personally, I can’t help being emotional when I’m purchasing property. I tend to be an open book and despite being told by people who have known me for a long time not to be, I still have a heart bigger than my head. Just as well John levels the scales! To everyone currently purchasing, here’s to finding the sweet spot of a property that makes sense financially but delivers emotionally – because they are out there.