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The Se*cret To Owning Your Dream Home
By Tracy Piercy
Step one: Imagine your dream home.
Step two: Write it down as a goal with a date when you'd like to be living there.
Step three: Look at it; think about it; talk about it and imagine living in it constantly!!
If that sounds too simplistic, consider this: In all the studies and work I have done on financial success, the biggest single difference between people who are financially successful and those who struggle and grumble all their lives is the ability to create a compelling vision for their life. As my favourite saying goes, "if you don't know where you're going you'll probably end up somewhere else". If it's not a dream home you're after, then I suggest you apply the same strategy to any area of your life that's important to you.
That's the beauty of a vision - it's unique for everyone and it drives you forward. It gives you hope, inspiration and motivation - regardless of whether someone else thinks it's worthy or impossible. The following story is adapted from my personal vision for our dream home. It might not be your style, but it's been a dream of ours for several years and it is something we talk about, plan for and look forward to.
I can hardly stand still. I'm barely breathing that I know for sure. Finally, after years of looking at that address plaque on the wall in our tiny home, our rented town house and our teeny apartment we can give it its own home. My husband has brought his drill to mount the plaque on the pillar even before we see the house. It looks so shiny and new beside the rusted, mangled iron gate. We've already instructed the landscape architect that a new gate is one of the first updates to take place, followed immediately by our new mailbox and plaque: "plenty and grace be to this place".
Now that the plaque is mounted, we can finally walk on the property without trespassing. Our kids can do cartwheels on the lawn and we can see the view of the marina from the top of the rock outcrop beside that wonderful oak tree. The house is so magnificent in the sunshine and will be absolutely stunning with its new paint: gold, burgundy and sage green. Finally, we can restore its full beauty and splendour and give the home the attention it deserves.
As we walk around the outside, it is so grand and even more beautiful than we saw from the dim light of the moon in previous trespassing expeditions. The area for the pool and stream is even better than we could have hoped for. There's a perfect location for a big patio and hot tub where we can hear the sound of the water rushing over the waterfall / waterslide.
Finally, here we are, enough suspense - we already know what the land is like and where the playground, gazebo, greenhouse and ponds will be, we can have the landscape architect get working on some of these so we can enjoy the yard and have our first annual croquet tournament and cocktail party on the lawn in June.
Inside - inside is our biggest prize. We've heard stories but have not once, even in the negotiations, seen inside. Wow - the stairs are creaky, but I love it! It's ours. We earned it. I'm bursting. I'm so excited.
The porch is even bigger than we expected. Oh yes, there is a grand fireplace in the entrance. We had so hoped there would be. Oh yeah, the floors are wide plank fir -- even better than we had hoped for. Wow - this grand room is grand. I will be furniture shopping with the decorator next week. Quick - the kitchen - it's perfect. Plenty of room for a walk in fridge, and our butcher block will finally have a home in a real kitchen. And the pantry is huge with a dumb waiter going to the basement wine cellar. What fun!
We knew there would be two staircases, but we certainly never expected three!! I love the spiral that goes from the library to the master bedroom. Yippee - the bathroom is huge - and already has a fireplace to enjoy baths in that claw foot tub. The kids are excited! There are secret rooms everywhere. We'll have fun painting them for play areas. I love the views of the harbour from up here. And this veranda will be awesome for morning coffee in the summer. Lots of bedrooms - yes - for lots of guests and my sewing room and our office.
Ok, the basement - perfect wine cellar, and great space for our bar and pool table by the door to the pool. The steam, sauna, and change areas will be here and there's still a beautiful space for and exercise area and my husband's workshop and tools. This is perfect!!!
I am sooooooo happy we didn't give up on the dream to save this grand home and open the garden up to the community at special holidays. It seemed like we had been working towards it and going further and further backwards, but here we are - we did it! We kept going! Now it's ours and won't just fall apart from tenant abuse and lack of respect. And having the money we need to do the work and the landscaping right away means we'll be able to enjoy its grandeur, share it with our friends and family and let the community see this historical home that much sooner. We are truly blessed and are looking forward to sharing the blessing of our new home with others.
Ok, we've got work to do - the caterers are coming for the house warming celebration in an hour!!
Hey, it will take some work to get there, but if you have a big enough vision and can imagine it crystal clear - what starts as wishful thinking can be transformed into a strategic plan to get the job done. When you know what you really want you will make financial decisions that support and encourage the realization of your dream!! So, dream big and share your vision and enthusiasm (even if most people don't get it!). It's a lot more fun than grumbling about what you coulda, shoulda or woulda done if only...
About the Author
Tracy Piercy is a Certified Financial Planner who goes beyond the parameters of traditional financial planning to integrate proven success principles with practical financial planning strategies. She has worked in the financial industry, in insurance, banking, and as a top producing investment advisor with CIBC Wood Gundy, for more than 15 years. Tracy has provided consulting and training to the industry, working closely with industry regulators, financial institutions and individual advisors. She taught industry-required courses, as well as developed programs for public education. http://www.moneyminding.com
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