Balance is everything! Interestingly, when a buyer is looking for a home, they can list what they want in terms of number of bedrooms, baths and perhaps even size, but the first consideration really, is location.
After all, it is a lifestyle you are buying, not just a home. Consider this. You are a single woman, college grad in your first fabulous job, working in a major firm in downtown Ottawa. You are a "Carrie Bradshaw" type, hanging with the girls several times a week and still enjoying the nightlife of bars and such. Obviously, you are not likely to want a townhome in the middle of Bridlewood.
Often, when a buyer begins a search, they have certain criteria, and leading the pack is price. What you can buy for one price in the city will be drastically altered in the suburbs, or country setting. So, the question remains: On what, are you willing to compromise?
If you dream of a larger sized property, but relish in the ease of the children walking to school with friends, and biking within the neighbourhood for Slushies, you may not be ready to give up the conveniences of the "burbs" for that country lot.
But then again, you may take on well, septic and increased drive time, for the peace and serenity a country home has to offer. Not having neighbours watching you sun bathe on your back deck, may just be the motivator to head Rural.
If you spend some time analyzing HOW you want to live, it will surely go a long way in narrowing down WHERE. Do you have a desire to live car free?, Do you want children to walk out the front door to tons of friends? Do you long for vegetable gardens, flowers and only the sound of crickets at night?
The fact is, we all want the most perfect balance in our lives possible. Of course, this will change as your personal life changes. As jobs and family evolve, so too will your needs. Just because you have always lived one lifestyle, doesn't mean there will not come a point when you will do a 180. In the design business, we always say "it's just paint". Well, while moving isn't as easy as changing a room colour, you should feel comfortable that if a lifestyle change has been nagging you, it may be time to look into it more seriously.
If you consistently hear friends say "Oh, I would just LOVE to live on the water", or "I am tired of driving my daughter in to town so often", or "bus riding is killing me, I just want to be able to walk everywhere I go" , maybe they are ready for a lifestyle change. Have them give us a call and we can talk with them about their needs. We would love to find them a home with the lifestyle they are dreaming of.
Tara Marcoux-Tynski
Sales Representative with Team Smith - Royal LePage Team, Kanata
tara@teamsmith.ca
613-592-6400 office
613-608-8272 cell