Is your heart in your home?

Home is massively important to me. I can't begin to describe how much I love pulling into my driveway and seeing my little yellow house. It is a humble home, but full of colour and the presence of my dogs and objects of art and photos that I love. Very commonly I am told by guests how deeply they relax there and how it reminds them of a home they loved from growing up.

On the bleakest of days when I nestle in at home and light my wood stove -- it's a little coffee coloured wood stove with glass front -- all is as it should be in my world. Home is sanctuary, creative space, play space, work space. It is where I go to rest, rejuvenate, create, entertain, laugh and commune.

I have lived in houses that were not a good fit for me. Rather like having a pebble in your shoe, you can be thankful for having shoes....but the fit is uncomfortable and distracting. The quest for home is a driving force and one that should be respected.

Perhaps this is why home buying is often an emotional decision. Logically someone is looking for a town home that's brand new yet fall in love with an old character home they drive by one the way. (There is a slang expression, "buyers are liars" in the real estate profession. This is not meant to be rude but to indicate that often a buyer thinks with their logic that they want one thing and end up buying something else entirely based on the draw of their heart.)

Many people I take house hunting know within seconds of walking into a home whether it is for them or not. Part of my job is to make sure it's not something easily altered that is the barrier if they don't like it. Is it the smell? Is it because the walls are yellow or the carpet pink? Cosmetic changes can be made easily. So, take your time to see if the home speaks to you in any meaningful way.

A great Realtor will try to get to know you, what makes you tick, what makes you comfortable. We're not being nosey...just investigating clues to help you find the home that wows your heart. There are few things more satisfying to a great Realtor that watching your expression when you find the home for you!

When you buy a home to live in, live in it! That might sound funny, but so often people will use all neutral colours or the most generic taste in furnishings instead of tricking it out just for their joy. But that's a blog for another day....are you buying to live there or buying to flip?

I wish for everyone the deep and satisfying joy of having your heart in your home. If you're living somewhere that doesn't fit you...call me. We need to talk. Don't let a few weeks of inconvenience stop you from being at home in your home.