*Where* is the Home, Not Necessarily *What* is the Home

Focus on Where

I had a client once who wanted to buy a house in a neighborhood well outside Charlottesville “proper.” I’ve been doing this a while, and I instinctively knew it was not the ideal location for them. I just advise and guide, and don’t make decisions. They bought the house, and it was good for their planned five to seven year house.

About two years (maybe three) years later, he asked me to have coffee.

“You were right.”

This was their routine:

• He and his spouse would leave in the morning in separate cars, driving to separate parts of Charlottesville – one east, one north. About 30-35 minutes each.
• One would go home to deal with the dog. And go back to work.
• They’d both go home after work.
• If they wanted to see friends, they’d go in one car together to Charlottesville, and likely have 2 or fewer drinks as it was at least 30 minutes back home.

They realized how much of their lives they were spending/wasting driving to and from places (my spin on the realization, not necessarily theirs).(see also: Gas Price Math)

We listed and sold their house, and they did pretty well for only owning it for a few years, and they rented a home in Charlottesville. (Renting first is almost always the right choice).

Some time after, they bought a house in a better (righter) location.

If you’re a client of mine, I have probably said this to you. I said it this morning to a new client.

I’m comfortable we can find you a house that is “good enough.” We could find you the best, most perfect, most amazing house for you, but if you’re driving 40 minutes to the stuff (school, grocery, park, bowling, work, whatever) that is important to you, it might not be the right house.

We can find the what. We need to be mindful of the where.