December Newsletter: Trusting your Intuition
Dear friends,
Lately I've been involved in a series of viewing tours in which my client expressed with exasperation “how do I choose?”
This got me thinking about what really matters when making a decision on buying the perfect home.
As follows:
1. Always visit a property 2-3 times before making a decision:
It's amazing what can change for someone by taking a few deep breaths, stopping to pause, and then revisiting a property that you do or don't like. Sometimes a client can be convinced they know about a property first time out, and then change their mind - even after making an offer. And other times a client can realise they would like to proceed with a property that felt wrong at first - perhaps in a reconfiguration of their priorities or search criteria. And likewise it can take two or three visits to confirm an already stable decision. Whichever way, multiple visits are always recommended.
2. Listen to the voices:
If there's something nagging you, or gnawing away at your consciousness in a property you otherwise feel at home with - then listen to that. Often this happens in desirable properties that clients will enjoy showing off to their friends - but secretly know isn't quite right for them. And conversely, a property that is not fashionable, but would suit a client's lifestyle perfectly, triggers the same helpful inner guide - whispering to you to follow your heart and soul rather than what we call 'the commanding self' in middle eastern traditions - the part of us that wants things for the wrong reasons. Our intuition is our friend when choosing a place to live - perhaps on a par with any other big life decision.
3. Bigger is not always better:
In tune with the observation is points 1&2, our traditional criteria for choosing a property to live in is often misleading. A less obvious way that this manifests is that 'space' represented in square footage does not equal 'volume'. This can mean important things like double-height vaulted ceilings and opportunities for mezzanines and lofts go unnoticed... and all the inspiration and breathing space that comes with having more headroom. In more extreme circumstances, clients have chosen to buy a small flat close to where they need to be, rather than a larger house further away - leaving them with funds to invest elsewhere. At Homes One we help you make the right decision for you... and save our clients money in the process. Often it is better to be the smallest house on the most expensive street than the other way around.
Introducing our new 'decision matrix'
To support clients with their buying journey, coming out of lockdown here in the UK we have designed a new tool for new clients - a Decision Matrix that scores each of your selections against the deeper priorities you had in mind when envisioning your dream home. Faced with a number of options at the end of a long search, the Decision Matrix is designed to show the real data - the small percentage differences that support a client in trusting their gut instinct to make a choice that is supported by rational analysis. This tool is now available to all clients as a part of their exclusive search with Homes One.
The lockdown is over - which changes will stick?
Localism: supporting specialist tradespeople rather than simply pulling the Amazon trigger.
Hygiene: Hand washing and sanitisation look here to stay. Hopefully masks will be less visible except in flu season.
Compassion: genuine care for people's wellbeing, being ok with not being ok, and looking out for the elderly and vulnerable is the new normal.
Peace of mind: may we never forget mindfulness, meditation and mental and spiritual wellbeing again.
Bubbles: friends and family have never been more important - may you and yours stay safe and well as we navigate this uncertainty.
Thank you
For your continued support, friendship and engagement in these strange times.
Warmly,
Karim