You might think buying a home today should be so much easier than a decade ago. With all the online sites, it is easy to get caught up in hours of swiping and saving homes that look like your next dream. So why all the press over the past couple of years about people buying homes during Covid, only to find later it wasn’t the house of their “dreams”?
From my seat, the answer was simple – emotion overcame following the Process to the Perfect Home. Yes, a home purchase is and should be very emotional – this is the place you will create memories for you and your family for years to come. However, there is also a process to follow, which ensures this truly is your Perfect Home.
Over the years, I’ve learned this process contains five critical steps, which when they all come together, point to the Perfect Home.
#1 – Location, Location, Location
We’ve all heard real estate is about location. No kidding. But many people don’t understand what this really means. The Charleston market is a perfect example of what this step is all about. It isn’t enough to simply say you want a home in the “Charleston Market”. For those living here, we know North Charleston couldn’t be more different than Mount Pleasant. The Summerville area vs. Johns Island, etc. Not knowing the differences in lifestyle, schools, travel times, taxes, etc. can result in the right house in the wrong location for your life. Learning the key differences in each area is critical to living the life you deserve.
In the case of one of my buyers, they knew they wanted waterfront in Mount Pleasant. But that still left a lot of options for them to focus on. What we did is narrow it down to how they spend their day to day, understand why they wanted waterfront, and what did they want to be surrounded by.
Were good restaurants nearby important? Close to the grocery store and other shops? Or did they want to be in a more secluded area? Understanding what is important to my buyers, is what allows me to really narrow down the search and make sure no one gets distracted by bright shiny objects.
#2 – Community
Now that you’ve boiled it down to the right location or area, the next step is which community. Again, the Charleston market has so many unique communities, often with wide choices within the same general location. Mount Pleasant is a great example of an area with communities which are new, old, big, small and all things in between. Community choice is both emotional and logical – what feels right? What amenities do you seek – pool, biking trails, kid friendly, etc. Also, it is surprising the value difference and appreciation from one community to the next – learning this is a key to decision making.
#3 – Homesite
Now we are getting more specific – where specifically within the community is the right spot for your home. Often, I hear clients tell me they love sunlight in the morning, others can’t live without a sunset view at night. Homes feel completely different depending upon how they sit on the lot. South facing, while favored by many, might not be right for you. Corner lot with extra space? Privacy so you can enjoy outdoor living, might be critical if you love being outdoors. Many things factor into what is the right lot for you. Overlooking these homesite details, simply because the house itself felt right, is a recipe for failure.
In the case of my buyers, one of the most important factors for them was lots of natural sunlight. Sounds easy enough right? Not so much. While one side of the street could be ideal, a house on the same street directly across would not get the same sunlight. Understanding this, helped eliminate homes that would have seemed perfect otherwise.
#4 – Exterior
Now we get purely emotional, yet the exterior choice also drives long term value. First, the home has to capture your heart and feel like “home” each time you pull up. That part can be easy. The next step in elevation details is will they stand the test of time. The key element in this decision is authenticity. Is the architectural design one that is timeless and authentic? If so, you will find your home as appealing and valued twenty years from now, as it is today. If not, it may turn into the “Brady Bunch” home – hot in the time, but not the look for today.
#5 – Floorplan
Finally, down to how the home feels when walking through, and most important how it matches how you live. Floorplan design is truly an art and so many simply don’t get it right. Open concept living, so popular today, can easily be done wrong. For those who entertain, areas to make that come alive, make effortless and shine will be high on the list. Storage is often overlooked, until you move in and ask “where does all this stuff go”! Today’s work at home environment means quiet space separate from the main living areas. Again, taking time to make a list and discuss these wants and needs, prior to falling in love with the wrong home, is key in finding the Perfect Home.
In the case of my buyers, they were planning on doing lots of entertaining, not only for their immediate friends and family, but eventually, grandkids and extended family members visiting as well. To ensure that the home would meet their needs now and long term, we walked through each space and talked about how each room would be used. We talked about today and in the future, helping visualize what life would feel like in each prospective home we toured. This not only helped them build confidence in their decision-making process but allowed them to land on the Perfect Home.
This process, when guided by the right Real Estate Professional who truly takes the time to understand you and your family, gives you the best chance that home, becomes Home and one you love for years to come. After all, don’t we all want a home that feels matched to our lifestyle and lets us live inspired?
Hayley Saint is a Realtor with Carolina One and resident of Dunes West. Growing up in a custom homebuilder family, she developed a passion for all things home and design. With an MBA from USC focused in marketing and analytics, she combines her talents to help Buyers and Sellers transform their lives through an inspired home experience.
