What does your dream home look like? Is it large, cozy, modern, classic? You may be chasing something established or building from scratch. Or hoping to take some of the headaches out of the process by choosing from a range of house and land packages. To eliminate some of the stress from such a huge set of decisions, here’s a breakdown of some main considerations when seeking a place to truly settle.
Location
Location doesn’t just relate to the house itself. Finding a community that you want to belong to is an enormous element in making a dwelling into a home. Depending on the direction your life takes you, it’s important to consider which amenities are most important to you. For some people that’s proximity to parks and playgrounds, for others, it might be freeway, beach or even hospital access. These sorts of things are much harder to change than most elements of a house itself, making them vital considerations. Partnering with a local moving company can also ease the transition, as they often have insight into the area and can help make your move smoother. It’s also worthwhile to investigate the websites of your prospective local Council, to see where your new community is headed. A ream of information is available to help you consider their past performance, where their focus lies, and what their objectives are for future years.
Pack & Declutter
Heralded by many as the worst element in the crusade of moving, packing can actually be an immensely insightful part of the process. It’s best to get on top of it early. However, before you even decide where you’re heading, take the time to declutter. It’s a fantastic way to identify what truly matters to you, and ultimately what you want in your dream home. You want to know which passengers you will be bringing with into the next phase of your life. Suddath moving company swears by a bout of decluttering before you move!
Inspiration
So many people have gone through this process before you, and with the all of the internet at your fingertips, why not learn from their experiences? Between Pinterest, Tumblr, YouTube, Facebook groups, style quizzes and personal blogs, there’s countless streams of wisdom to suit you, saving you time and resources. The question then becomes where you choose to get your inspiration from. It’s worth collating things as you browse, whether it’s a scrapbook, a digital folder or a vision board you can access from anywhere.
A Fixer-Upper?
If you’re willing to invest the effort in some DIY work, you can save a significant stash of cash! Certain options might not look like your dream home at first glance, but what can you create with a bit of time and elbow grease? Firstly, it’s imperative to take note of what can’t be changed. By looking at the working drawings, you can identify what can be done without compromising the integrity of the structure (such as load-bearing walls). Some other fixed examples can include land size, orientation, sunlight in different seasons and overshadowing of adjacent properties. Once those are identified, you have free reign over most anything else, especially if you’re willing to get your hands a little dirty. Once complete, you will be living in a home truly made your own.
Big picture
For best results, you need to think about your home in the long term. What might be ideal now, might not match your wants and needs in 5, 10 or 20 years. Will you be raising children here? Could you retire here? It’s always best to consider things from a worst-case scenario. If a member of your family winds up on crutches, you want to know that the house is (or can be made) accessible. If the unexpected happens, you want to feel prepared – not trapped, with a growing resentment for the walls around you.
Final Thoughts
With all the emotions, angst and weariness that many of us associate with moving, the golden rule is to be prepared. Do your research, consider the future, and you’ll eliminate half the battle. No matter who you share it with, you can look forward to spending your future years in a place you feel is truly meant just for you.