Stop thinking, seriously, it’s not helping.
I am an overthinker, I’m not OCD, but it’s something that is both a blessing and a curse. I’m also a “know it all”, I try not to be, because truthfully I don’t know a whole lot.
About 5 years ago, I was trying to buy a car, the search was exhaustive. I read all the car magazines, I had a friend with a Consumers Report subscription help me, and I read the opinion of many, many, many people on what was the best car. When I finally bought the car, within one week I realized I hated the car. Loathed it. It wasn’t fun to drive, it lacked features, and the general styling was about as interesting as a manila envelop. I realized that I had bought a car using only deductive login and the opinion of about a thousand people. I had not listened to myself, my gut. Then I noticed some of the people driving some of the cars I was sworn off buying, and you know what? They were happy, they loved their cars, did they have problems? Yup. Guess what? So did mine eventually, and costly one’s at that.
I mention the car scenario because I see the same transaction happening daily in the realty world. I see people come through a house, they can not maintain their ‘pokerface’ when they come through and recognize that ‘this is the house’ for them. However, I see those same people think themselves right out of it. ‘It’s the first house we’ve seen, let’s see more’ – Why? Do you love it? Can you afford it? Does it meet all of your rigid criteria? It does? Then buy it. Don’t think that every house you’ll see after could be better, because truthfully, they probably won’t be.
If liking the first house you see is wrong because someone told you to look at 5, 10, 20 houses before buying, then you’re overthinking it like I did. Buying a house isn’t logical. The rules of engagement do not apply here.
Talk to someone who has bought more than one house in their lifetime. Ask them what makes a great house according to them. The answer will likely surprise you. I know for myself that having owned a home with South-facing light made me so happy that it is now essential criteria. I mean just think about it, I could find a great home, but if the sun moves in a different direction than I prefer I’m not going to buy it. That sounds like crazy people talk. However, sometimes we need to respond to our gut, listen to our heart, and go on instinct, despite the cost. Of course, use sound judgement, but don’t let it dictate everything. After all, the cost of happiness is often not quantifiable.