Lost: The True Value of Owning a Home

Are We Forgetting the True Value of Buying a Home?

            I’m a New York gal raised by a father who was a used car dealer. So it was inevitable. I’m all about the deal.  The bigger the bargain, the better. Like many people with this mindset, however, I’ve been guilty of forgetting the true value of buying a home. Currently, I live in a charming Laguna Beach duplex. But I’ve been searching for a choice piece of Laguna Beach real estate -- always with my sights set on grabbing the sweetest deal in the universe.

Fortunately, I attended a real estate seminar last Sunday that opened my eyes to something far more important. The headline speaker was a gentleman from England. His topic: “Are We Losing Sight of Why We Buy a Home?”  It got me thinking. Spicy deals are definitely a good thing. But when all is said and done, a home really is a place to grab, savor, and cherish precious slices of life such as:

• Settling into your love nest as a newlywed, closing your eyes, and envisioning your newLaguna Beachhome as the ideal place to raise a family.
• Bringing your newborn home to a freshly-painted nursery that once upon a time was a study.
• Sitting in front of a cozy fireplace, holding hands with that special person.
• Stepping out onto your private balcony and gazing at a golden sunset.
• Strolling into your garden in the spring and delighting in the fragrance of freshly-planted roses and newly-cut grass.
• Spending a lazy afternoon snoozing on a hammock.
• Preparing for an excursion to a fine restaurant with your best friends.

Think about it. Do you really want to deprive your child of a large, kid-friendly bedroom and a wonderful backyard just to save $5,000 years later -- when prices might drop. Sure, you can grab a great deal buying or selling aLaguna Beach home. But have you lost sight of what a home really is? Isn’t it really a place to hang your hat, walk through the front door and greet your better half with a heartfelt ‘hi, honey, I’m home’, or simply close your eyes and relish your private domain?

            I’ve often wondered if I’ve delayed home-buying too long. Maybe the market never will drop 5% or 10% as I envisioned. I might be missing out on the opportunity to own aLaguna Beachhome or other gorgeous home inSouth OrangeCounty.

            I’m going to tell you the truth. The waiting game is over for thisNew Yorkgal. I recently put in an offer for a cute littleLaguna Beachcottage. My fingers have been crossed ever since.

            Feel free to join me if you’d like to work with the ultimate deal-maker.  I’ll help you discover a Laguna Beach property perfect for savoring your own special slices of life. And yes, the price will be very pretty. Remember, I’ve been well-trained by my daddy.

Connect with your Coastal Property Experts at 949.922.8490 or hillary@thecoastalpropertyexperts.com. We’re ready to guide you every step of the way.