After more than 20 years in real estate, I've walked through thousands of homes.

Big homes. Small homes. Brand-new homes and homes that have been standing for well over a hundred years. Homes that were meticulously maintained and others that needed quite a bit of attention.

And somewhere along the way, I realized that homes teach you things.

An Exquisite Home Doesn't Have to Be an Expensive Home

I've walked into modest homes that immediately felt warm and welcoming.

They weren't filled with the newest finishes or expensive furniture. They simply reflected the people who lived there. There was something about them that made you feel at home.

That's something a price tag can't necessarily create.

Take Care of the Home You Already Have

Before improving a home, I think it's important to make sure you've taken care of the home you already have.

Before investing in a beautiful new kitchen, for example, make sure you're not also thinking, “Hmm...I think we might need a new roof.” 😊

Keeping up with important maintenance should come first.

Cleaning the gutters, painting exterior wood before it begins to deteriorate, servicing the heating and air conditioning, and fixing the small leak before it becomes a big one are all part of protecting the home you already have.

Every Homeowner Has a List

I've learned that almost every homeowner has one.

There's the project we're doing next month.

The project we're definitely doing next year.

And the project we've been saying we're going to do for the past ten years.

That's homeownership. 😊

The trick isn't necessarily finishing everything. It's understanding what needs attention now, what can wait, and what would simply make you happier in your home.

Our Homes Change Because Our Lives Change

The spare bedroom becomes a nursery. Years later, it becomes an office.

The children's playroom becomes something entirely different once they're grown.

We add a patio because we discover we love being outside. We change the landscaping because working in the yard brings us pleasure.

A home isn't something we finish.

It's something that evolves with us.

It's Your Home — Enjoy It

Perhaps one of the biggest lessons I've learned is that homeowners sometimes spend too much time thinking about what the next owner might want.

Unless you're preparing to sell, I think that's backwards.

Paint the room the color you love. Plant the garden you've always wanted. Build the patio where you'll sit on summer evenings.

If you've dreamed about that beautiful kitchen and can comfortably afford it, maybe it's time.

Someday another person may own your home and change some of the things you did — or perhaps they'll love them just as much as you did.

Either way, that's okay.

You're the one living there now.

After walking through thousands of homes throughout Bordentown, Columbus, Chesterfield, Florence, Hamilton, and surrounding communities, I don't think successful homeownership is about creating the perfect house.

It's about taking care of the home you have, allowing it to change as your life changes and, perhaps most importantly, remembering to enjoy it along the way.

And interestingly, if that home eventually goes on the market, I've found that one of its greatest selling features can be something you can't put on a feature sheet:

You can tell when someone has loved living there.

Because ultimately, that's what a home is for — living in it and enjoying being home.

Every home and every situation is unique. If I can answer a question or offer guidance, I'd be happy to help. It all starts with a conversation. I'm Michael Carney with RE/MAX at Home, and I'm here to help you Every Step of The Way.