The dream home is a suture for the troubles of the mind. It’s a large, open living room with sun streaking through the windows.
It’s a temperature-controlled bedroom with a mattress that lulls you into a good night’s sleep. It’s a waterfall shower that eases the strain in your shoulders after a hard day’s graft.
For many, these are pipe dreams that are forever out of reach, but they don’t have to be. Attaining the home that you’ve always wanted can be achieved with a mixture of elbow grease, good luck and knowhow.
Here are five different strategies to make finding your ideal living space a little easier.
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Be in it to win it
Online prize draws offering luxurious houses have become a hot property over the past few years. In exchange for a few paid-for entries, companies like Raffle House will offer homes that exceed most people’s wildest aspirations.
These houses are a cut above the rest. They’re usually located in a secluded part of the countryside, with opulent mod cons like a swimming pool, woodfire stove and an elaborate garden. In many cases, their market value extends into the millions (at time of writing, Raffle House is offering two homes that exceed £5.8 million).
As is to be expected, oodles of people enter these draws. But the small fee for entry gives you a low-stakes chance to win big.
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Become a DIY master
Self-sufficiency can play a large part in contentment. George Orwell, for example, moved to a remote island in the north of Scotland to find his dream home, spending much of his time tilling the land, renovating various rooms and even learning carpentry to transform a ramshackle barn into a home (and he even managed to knock off 1984 in his free time).
Learning the intricacies of DIY can save you money on contractors and help turn even a basic living space into a source of comfort and relaxation. So, time to start swinging that hammer.
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Have a clear picture
Long-term saving is perhaps the most practical way to begin ascending the property ladder. But without a specific goal, the marathon-level endurance of watching your cash flow slowly rise over the years can be difficult to maintain.
Make squirreling your cash easier by having a home in mind that you can use as a target to aim for. Picture its furnishings and interiors more clearly using mood boards like Pinterest to make your aspirations more concrete.
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Be assured in your savings
When your bank balance looks tight, the temptation to eat into your savings can be overwhelming. In those moments, it becomes vital to have checks and balances in place that will keep you on the right path.
Placing your money in a savings account like an ISA will make it a bit more difficult to withdraw, making it less of a slave to your impulses. Your road to the dream home will be a little bit easier.
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Be clear in your aims
A mansion in the Cotswolds is most people’s dream, but it’s hardly a realistic target. Create a practical, attainable list of features you’d like to see in the perfect property. If you can afford a place that ticks all those boxes, you’re quite literally living your dreams.
Do you have any tips for obtaining the home of your dreams? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!