One major source of relocation stress comes from choosing which apartment to rent or which house to buy. This decision is critical. Make a wrong choice and you’ll be miserable – not to mention you could lose thousands of dollars from moving again … and again.
Trulia’s real estate realist dispenses answers to a common question. “I’ve looked at a dozen places. How do I know which one is right for me?”
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Here are 5 signs she suggests:
– You feel possessive immediately.
– You minimize the home’s flaws or decide they’re really virtues.
– You don’t get turned off by the bathroom or kitchen.
– You start imagining your own pictures, furnishings and family in the new space. You imagine moving a wall or changing the carpet.
– You lose interest in seeing other homes.
I’d agree with these indicators. However, I’d say that these indicators would place this home on the “Maybe” list at best. At this point you are interested. But keep looking. When you start thinking, “I MUST have this home,” it’s easy to make a bad decision.
In particular, I would be concerned if you start to ignore the home’s flaws. I’d say, “Before you look at places to live – especially if you plan to buy – get a checklist in place. Give the checklist to your agent, if you are working with one. Don’t give up on the checklist to easily.
For instance, you might find a place that’s got the perfect layout. Okay, you wanted a view of the sea and sky – or at least a few trees – and now you’re got a view of a parking lot. “No big deal,” you think. But six months into your new home, that view will start to grate on your nerves.
Or imagine that you fall in love with the perfect condo … and then discover the walls are thin as paper. You now have a beautiful home but you can hear people walking overhead. Maybe you hear music or voices from next door. Can you enjoy your life there? You may be too stressed to enjoy the beautiful layout.
On the other hand, I would pay attention to the way your possessions fit into your new home. For some reason, I find a new home works best if your furniture and artwork seem to be made for the space. You can come up with a woo-wooey explanation, which is fun, but it’s also true that your former possessions reflect who you are. IF you can take yourself with you into the new home, you will be much happier and have a smoother transition than when you start over.
For more tips on relocation, download my ebook, Making the Big Move.