Getting over First Home Jitters
6:35 PM
Buying a home can pretty scary, especially, when you don't have any prior experience or much help. Given that I am closing on my first home in two days, you can guess my anxiety and stress level is pretty high. This is a big step and I find that I'm consistently doubting myself. I'm always wondering if I should have looked at more homes or widen my range. I kept spinning myself in circles. Finally, I had enough. I had to get myself in check before my health or my relationship suffered. Here are the steps that I took to get my self in control and calm the f**k down.
1. Go outside and Breathe
Just taking a few moments to breath between the stacks of paperwork, unexpected expenses, and loads of bills can do a world of good. Go for a walk and get some fresh air. Sit outside and feel the sun on your face. Getting enough Sunlight is a key factor in producing a substance called vitamin D. This vitamin helps boost serotonin levels which gives you that feel good feeling. So go feel good already!
(PS: You can not cheat by drinking a pint of OJ.)
2. Be Prepared
Anytime you make a huge commitment such as purchasing new home, new car, or starting a family you need to prepare yourself. Having a good plan and even a backup plan in place will help you move smoothly throughout the whole processes and insure you wont loose your mind when something less than desirable happens.
3. Support
Having a good support system is essential in anything you do in life. Not to say you're not capable of putting on your big girl/boy panties and doing it yourself. But having people there to back you up when all you want to do is crawl under a blanket with a big bottle of wine and ... well... whine!! Just be sure to not to snap on those who are just trying to help.
4. Love
This can tie into step 3. If you happen to have a significant other that is with you in this process, try not to let the stress get the better of you. Get out the house. Go out on dates! Laugh, love, and ... "love". Remember that both of you are going through this as a team and what is stressing you out is probably stressing him/her out as well. Taking a quick second to be considerate and understanding will help you guys stay close through this major stepping stone in your life.
and finally...
5. Research
No one likes doing homework, but this is a step that you can't pass up. I made the "Hiccup" of going all in on the first home that I saw. I've stressed about this decision more times than I can count, but came to the conclusion to trust my instincts. I had been told no so many times that the first time I had the chance to finally get a yes, I jumped on it and dug my nails in. So learn from me and don't be scared to take it slow and DO YOUR RESEARCH! The right home will come up and you'll be grateful for taking your time and not rushing.
The moral of all this is ... to just RELAX! Stressing yourself out will do you no favors. (and give you wrinkles!!) When closing finally comes along, you'll be able to enjoy it far better than if you were stressed. And if a Hiccup or two come along the way ... So be it!!
That's life. There are no sure fire cures for the Hiccups. You just learn from them and ride those babies till they subside.
PS: Sometimes a good scare works to get them back on track. ;p
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