Home
It’s not the same thing as a house. As a realtor, I get to see a lot of gorgeous houses, but not all of them feel like home. It’s not the square footage. It’s not the quality of the granite countertops. A house isn’t a home until you make it one – and not everyone has a house that feels like home.
You can have every upgrade, every beautiful thing ever built, and still live in a house that feels cold as if love doesn’t live there. Because, ultimately, that’s what makes a house a home. A house won’t become a home until it tells your story.
So, what exactly makes a house a home?
It’s an important question if you’re a seller looking for a family to buy your home. I know many realtors will tell you that your home should be as clean, empty, and void of personal items as possible…but I disagree. Yes, your home should be clean – it should be spotless. But your home should not be void of personality because that’s when potential buyers walk in and feel that coldness when what they want to feel is a home.
So…here’s what makes a house a home.
Fresh Flowers
You’re never going to find my house empty of fresh flowers. Whether it’s the bouquets I keep on the kitchen island or in the lounge, the beautiful planters on my pool deck or front porch, fresh flowers give an automatic feeling of home.
Signature Scent
If you’re not using something to make your house smell lovely, your house doesn’t smell lovely…trust me. I’m a big fan of the Hotel Collection “My Way” candles and essential oils that I use daily. And my house always smells fabulous…and it feels like home.
Cozy Couch Blankets
What says home more than a gorgeous basket of cozy couch blankets folded carefully in the family room? Nothing. Who even lives in a home without a basket filled with blankets for grabs so everyone can cozy up on the couch when they’re watching a movie or reading a book?
And on the flip side, there are a few things that might make your house feel like a home to you, but aren’t attractive to potential buyers:
- Counter clutter (Let’s be honest, this is unattractive any day, so let’s put away the appliances and keep the keys and notes and random items off of counters)
- Lack of rugs. Every room needs a rug to define the space. If your furniture is sitting rug-less on the floor, it’s not cohesive nor is it attractive.
- Furniture against the wall. If your home is small, it might be unavoidable. However, if your home is sizable, your couches should never be pushed against a wall.
Even if you aren’t selling your house, there’s no reason it shouldn’t feel like home. These little changes might feel insignificant, but they make an impact.
If you’re interested in buying or selling in Florida’s beautiful Nature Coast, contact me.
Tiffany Raiford 