Looking for a house can send you ‘round the bend: someone bought the house in which you’re interested, or you lost your funding. House hunting impacts your mental health. Let’s examine eight ways to improve your mental health when buying a home.
1. Learn About Stress
Stress sometimes looks like you want a house your spouse doesn’t like, or all the available houses are too small. It’s important to watch for ways stress will present itself during the real estate process because it’s bound to occur.
Practice mindfulness. Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and concentrate on the breeze. Feel how softly it touches your cheeks. Notice from which direction the breeze blows, at what angle it kisses your cheeks. Enjoy it. Ready to tackle that house now?
2. Care for Your Body
If you’re going to nurture your mind, then care for the body, too. Making an informed decision about a house means you get enough restful sleep, eat nutritious meals throughout the day, and drink plenty of water. It’s a fact that fresh air, exercise, laughter, and the three important things aforementioned sustain a healthy body.
3. Balance Your Life
If all you do is seek houses and go to work, then a little balance will benefit your mental health.
Sit in the park reading a good book. Spend time watching your favorite movie or TV show. Do a challenging crossword puzzle. Take a food and/or wine-tasting tour. Learn knitting, paint a picture, sing a song, or ask the kids to teach you their games. The most important thing is that you do things that make you happy.
4. Set Achievable Goals
Some homebuyers will go beyond their income to buy a beautiful house in the best neighborhood near good schools. In order to afford a new house, you must set achievable goals.
How to Set Achievable Goals:
• Set your budget. Stay within it.
• Don’t allow homes out of your financial reach to tantalize you.
• Don’t let the MLS rule your life. Wait for homes that suit your purposes to come on the market.
5. Thoroughly Understand the Process
Once you find a home you like, you’ll put in an offer. After the homeowner accepts the offer, the real work begins. You’ll need an appraisal, an inspection, as well as know if there are liens against the property. You’ll need to know the location of property lines and county easements. Now the closing and ownership paperwork can begin.
6. Home Buying is Emotional
A home is the largest investment you’ll make. It’s usually the center of your life. When emotions hit you, then you’ll need help. Try unwinding at the end of the day by soaking in a hot bubble bath, making your favorite meal, or buying a movie you love. It’s important to spend time reflecting on your emotions when selling or buying a home.
7. Seek Counseling
There are dozens of community center counselors, social media counselors, as well as prayer circles in many places than stand ready to help.
8. It Takes Time
Give yourself time. You don’t want to buy a house that’s wrong for you just because you could. You shouldn’t rush the real estate process and instead be patient with the process.