When it Feels Like Home

Dear Home Hunter, 

Welcome to Southwest Florida! I’m sure you’ll be successful in your home search because I think you’re asking the right questions. 

Your question is one that I believe few people consider. Most new home buyers only think about how many bedrooms and baths there are, the location, the cost, and the décor, but rarely do they ponder what the Romans called “genius loci” or the spirit of the place.

“Spirit” may sound a bit woo-woo, but obviously, it’s important to you since you stated, “We want our new space to support us in becoming the best versions of ourselves.” It sounds like you want a home/location that lifts you up, inspires you, and unlocks your potential.

Christian Norberg-Schultz, author of Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture, writes, “To dwell means to belong to a given place. When we identify with a place, we dedicate ourselves to a way of being in the world.” 

Personally, I “know” almost instantly when I walk into a space whether it’s right for me or not – fortunately, my husband generally agrees with me. 

The house we lived in on Marco Island was everything we thought we didn’t want. We visited it because my husband saw it listed online, and we were curious. The minute we walked through the front door, however, we fell in love with the house, the outdoor environment, the location, and every stick of furniture. We tried hard not to like it because it was too big, had three stories (we’re old), etc. etc. We looked at many other houses (bless our Realtor’s heart) but nothing compared. When I told my best friend we were buying the house, she said, “Are you crazy?”

We had six amazing years in that house. We never regretted our decision. Now you’re asking, “So what made you so sure?” I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but I do know that when you’re house hunting, you have to pay attention to your intuition and what your gut is telling you.  

Yep, those gut feelings are real! Scientists call this little brain in your gut the enteric nervous system (ENS). And it's not so little. The ENS is two thin layers of more than 100 million nerve cells lining your gastrointestinal tract from esophagus to rectum. Trust it!

When you start your search, stand quietly in that new space and ponder how it makes you feel. I’m confident you’ll have a great new life in your new home.