House hunting is a lot like dating, but without the good bits

During a recent house inspection, I got the distinct feeling of deja vu. House hunting is a lot like dating, but without the good bits.

First up, you’ve got the apps. And probably not just one. No, you’ve likely got two or three, just to see if you’ve missed anything good. Because there’s got to be something good out there, doesn’t there?

You’re also going on dates, otherwise known as inspections, and they’re most likely mid-week and Saturdays. Say goodbye to your social life!

After you’ve had your first date, it’s time to consider if the property is going to get a second date or not.

If you make it to the second date stage, it’s time to meet the friends and family. This is when you bring your parents, tradie friend, registered builder or the property aficionado in your life to check if it’s really going to be good for you. Things move quickly when you’re in the property dating world.

In the meantime, you’re probably showing your friends and colleagues all of its cute photos on the apps and skipping over the not-so-great ones - “Oh that’s not a big deal, I can fix that.”

You’re also trying desperately to convince your friends and family that even though the ‘house’ in question may look a little rough around the edges, “it’s a really good buy.”

Then it’s off to the professionals to see if the property is actually a “good buy” and whether you can afford it. Too bad there’s no dating equivalent here.

Which brings me back to the property in question. As I was wandering around tapping on walls, bouncing on floorboards and going over my checklist, I had the feeling there was something missing. Something important.

It had decent bones, was located on a better-than-average street with great amenities nearby, was liveable albeit small. Basically it was the equivalent of being ‘good on paper’.

However, as I was walking around trying to convince myself of all of these features I realised the thing that was missing was ‘spark’.

Call it spark, chemistry or love, there was zero of it between me and this house. I felt for this house how most people feel on a date with the wrong person. They seem fine, nice even, but do you want to see them again? Not really.

Still, I found myself trying to convince my parents (who’d come to the second date) about all its good qualities. Which was the exact moment I wondered who exactly I was trying to convince?

Why was I going to spend an exorbitant amount of money, time and energy into a potential property I wasn’t even sure I liked that much?

Unsurprisingly, I decided not to attend the auction or put in an offer. That home sold at auction and I hope it went to someone who did have strong feelings for it. Either way, I think we’re both better off without each other.

Like people say, there’s plenty more fish in the sea.

I’ve now decided I’m not settling until I find the right house, the one that gives me butterflies and makes me want to attend all its inspections.

The one I don’t have to convince myself of, because when I walk in the door it will feel like home.