Valentine’s Day is less than a week away and love is in the air! Well, more like the sounds of a highly commercialized holiday. But it does remind us we need to appreciate the special people in our lives more and, if the commercialization angers you, it’s a great reminder to make every day Valentine’s Day.
This week, we at The Cameron Team are feeling inspired and want to encourage you to spread that love a little bit further…to your home. We love helping people buy and sell their homes. We enjoy the excitement and hope we see in each owner’s face as they move on to a new stage of their life. It’s also our livelihood. We won’t sugarcoat that. It just adds weight to what I’m about to write…
Now may not be the time to buy or sell real estate.
Think back to when you first moved in to your current home, be it a rental or a purchase. Weren’t you excited thinking about decorating and making it a “home”? Perhaps, it was the perfect house or the almost perfect house for you or your family. Just the right size, location, and monthly payment to fit your lifestyle. Fast forward to today. Your life has expanded. Maybe you’ve gotten married, your family has grown, or you’ve changed jobs and your home is starting to feel like an inconvenience. You’re ready to move on!
Sometimes your desires move a little quicker than reality will allow. It could be your finances aren’t quite right or there is some uncertainty with your job. Maybe you’re waiting for your child to finish up at their current school. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t make moving feasible right now.
So, what do you do? Write a love letter to your home!
Not a REAL love letter, but think back to when you first moved in and remember what you loved. Maybe it was the view, the garden, or the location. Write that down on a piece of paper. Then, think about perks you’ve gained since your life expanded, like a nearby favorite restaurant or friendly neighbors. Write it down. Next, think about the benefits you’re getting for living there rather than buying, like a lower mortgage payment or the proximity to area schools. Write that down too. Post this list where you’ll see it every day.
Now, return to your original reasons for moving into your home. Make time to work in the garden or have a cup of coffee while you reflect on the view. Be thankful you had the opportunity to make new friends and discover that restaurant since moving in. While you’re doing all that, start preparing to move, even if it’s a few years off. A few years just means you have plenty of time to do your research and get yourself into a good financial position.
Every life change brings a new set of struggles. When things get stressful, it’s hard to see the positive side. Sometimes, you just need to be reminded and writing it down can help.
When you’re ready to buy or sell your Wilmington area home, The Cameron Team will be right here to help. Even if your move is a few years out, we can still help you to prepare. Our home value reports can keep you updated monthly on the market value of your home. If credit is an issue, we can refer you to a lender who will look at your report and advise you on the best steps to improve it to help you qualify for a mortgage or better rate. You can also sign-up for our MLS listing alerts so you can narrow down which Wilmington area neighborhoods you may be interested in.
Have questions? Let us know!
