There’s No Place Like Home, There’s No Place Like Home
Can you even call yourself a NY real estate agent until you've seen a bathtub in a kitchen? I think not. How about a windowless closet that's really a shower or better yet, a toilet placed in the shower? While these examples might seem strange and unique (and they are), what I find most interesting is that someone, eventually, takes these homes. They're not necessarily the cheapest, there are almost definitely other options, and yet, they do eventually rent or sell because to someone, it feels like home. But why?
One of the biggest factors is natural lighting. Without a doubt, the majority of people want views and light over interior facing windows, but some people like to sleep in and therefore prefer a more casino-like apartment where it can always be any time of day or night.
Whenever I first chat with a client we talk about must haves and wants in their search - this can be a dishwasher, washer/dryer, no walk-ups above 3 stories, etc. So why is it then that some people end up falling for a space that meets almost nothing on their list? Usually it's because the space fills some kind of fantasy version of their life in NY. Maybe it's not the most updated apartment, but it has an extra room for a home office. Or maybe it's a little smaller than they wanted but so close to their friends and favorite coffee shop. Honestly, it can happen for any number of reasons and it's important to keep checking in about a "want and need" list because it can shift.
But the biggest thing in feeling like you've landed on your home is the answer to the question, "Can you see yourself living here?" Maybe your desk would fit perfectly in that nook or maybe you can imagine that velvet blue sofa you've been eyeing sitting perfectly against the wall. That's the real gold when you get it - imagining your things in a space is imagining your life in a space and it doesn't happen with every apartment.
When you find a place that feels like home, it's time to try and nail it down. There will always be another home that checks off certain things on your list, but there won't always be one that feels like it's right for you.
