Home Buying Mindsets: Exploring the Psychology Behind Home Buying Decisions

Posted on October 17, 2023 by Judi Coyle

Home Buying Mindsets: Exploring the Psychology Behind Home Buying Decisions

Home buying is never just a financial decision; it’s deeply emotional. For many, a home signifies stability, a fresh start, or even a milestone of success. Have you ever walked into a house and just felt it was right? That gut feeling is a potent mix of aspiration, memory, and comfort. It’s why homes with a pleasant aroma or well-lit rooms can have such a profound impact. They play to our sense of nostalgia and well-being.

The Logic Behind the Feeling

Even though emotions play a big role, logic is the compass that keeps our decisions on track. This mindset comes into play when considering factors like the house’s price, its location, the neighborhood’s safety, and future resale value. While the heart might be drawn to a home because of its charming kitchen, the mind keeps tabs on practical aspects like plumbing, roofing, and overall maintenance.

The Influence of Others

As social beings, we can’t underestimate the sway our friends, family, and even societal trends have on our decisions. Think of the friend who emphasizes the need for a guest room or the parents who stress the importance of a good school district. Often, our choices in a home are subtly influenced by the people we care about and our inherent desire to fit in or meet perceived expectations.

The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

In today’s digital age, FOMO isn’t just limited to social events. Seeing peers or influencers showcasing their new homes on social media can sometimes add pressure or urgency to the buying process. This mindset can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it might motivate us to take the plunge. On the other, it could push us to rush a decision without thorough consideration.

The Future Forward Thinking

For many buyers, especially first-timers, purchasing a home isn’t just about the present. It’s a step into the future. This mindset involves thinking about potential life changes — maybe a new job, an expanding family, or picking up new hobbies that require space. A two-bedroom might work now, but will it suffice in five years? This forward-thinking approach is essential to ensure the home grows with you.

Conclusion: Balancing Heart and Head

The journey of home buying is a battle between the heart’s desires and the mind’s practicalities. Recognizing and understanding these psychological factors can lead to more informed, satisfying decisions. So, the next time you find yourself house hunting, take a moment to reflect on what’s driving your choices. You might find that achieving a balance between emotion and logic, future and present, will guide you to a place you can truly call home.

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6 Types of Pain Finishes and The Best Places to Use Them

Posted on January 17, 2023 by By PorchLyte for Judi Coyle

6 Types of Paint Finishes and The Best Places to Use Them

By PorchLyte
January 11, 2023

New year, new wall?

If you’re tired of staring at the same paint color on your wall, then maybe it’s time to change it up for 2023! Repainting your walls is a simple way to increase the value of your home and protect it from any damage. At the same time, you’ll also be beautifying your interior and freshening up your home.

Before thinking about what paint color will be the best, you must first consider which paint finish you should use for each room. There are six types of paint finish and they all have different benefits, sheen, and durability. Let’s review each paint finish in detail!

1. Flat paint finish

The flat finish is a non-reflective finish that does not reflect any light, resulting in no sheen at all. It allows for more pigment to come through which makes it a good concealer paint. It can excellently hide bumps, holes, and scratches which makes for a smoother and more uniform surface.

One thing you should consider about the flat finish is that since it is entirely non-reflective, it soaks up any light directed toward it. It is also hard to clean, has low durability, and is non-moisture resistant. Therefore, you should avoid using it in high-traffic areas of the house such as the kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms.

The flat finish is ideal for:

2. Matte paint finish

The matte finish is another low-luster finish that provides a smooth and subtle look. It is similar to the flat finish but has a bit more sheen. It can provide the most pigment with the most coverage, therefore excellently concealing imperfections on any surface.

You should also note that like the flat finish, the matte finish also does not reflect light in a room but rather absorbs it. Matte finishes are prone to holding dirt and are difficult to clean, as cleaning them can actually result in removing the paint. It has medium durability and will do best in rooms that have low to moderate traffic.

The matte finish is ideal for:

3. Eggshell paint finish

The eggshell finish is a popular paint finish that has a soft luster that lies between a matte finish and a satin finish. True to its name, it’s smooth like an eggshell. It reflects more light than its flat and matte counterparts, making a room look brighter with a good amount of pigment and coverage. It’s easier to clean and is more resistant to dirt, stains, and scuffs. It also has a medium durability that’s perfect to use in medium-traffic areas at home such as entryways, hallways, family rooms, and living rooms.

When using the eggshell finish, you should know that it can be difficult to touch up. The slight sheen that it possesses makes it almost impossible to add new layers in small areas without being visible. With the eggshell finish, a touch-up might mean repainting the whole wall.

The eggshell finish is ideal for:

4. Satin

The satin finish is a versatile paint finish as it can be used both indoors and outdoors. It provides a soft sheen with a pear-like appearance that resists fading and mildew. It has a higher gloss and is easier to clean than the flat and eggshell finishes. Because of its versatility, satin finish is a great choice of paint for moderate to high-traffic areas or those that have some exposure to moisture.

Although this paint finish is a beautiful and versatile option, you have to make sure that you apply this paint properly. When not done right, application flaws such as roller or brush strokes can be revealed, making touch-ups trickier.

The satin finish is ideal for:

5. Semi-Gloss

The semi-gloss paint finish is a level up from satin as it has more shine which gives it a sleek look. It is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas and those that are frequently touched because of its high durability. It is resistant to mildew, moisture, and wear which makes it perfect for walls that are prone to drips, grease, and stains.

Among the finishes listed above, this paint finish is more reflective. Hence, you should note that it will most likely show blemishes, scratches, and more on ceilings and walls.

The semi-gloss finish is ideal for:

6. Gloss paint finish

The gloss paint finish is hard, ultra-shiny, and the most reflective among paint finishes. Surfaces painted with gloss finish provide a glass-like look. Of all the paint sheens mentioned, gloss finish is the most durable and the easiest to clean. Hence, it is a great choice for surfaces that are often touched like cabinets, trim, and doors.

Despite being the most durable, we don’t recommend using gloss finish for interior walls. Its high-gloss can easily highlight imperfections on the wall.

The gloss finish is ideal for:

So, have you decided on which paint finish to use for your home? More than the choice of color, picking out the right paint finish might be trickier and more challenging. You have to consider different factors depending on which area you plan to apply the paint. If you still aren’t sure which one is best to use among the finishes mentioned above, use these factors to help you decide – durability, quality of paint, ease of cleaning, amount of traffic to the area, and moisture in the room.

Deciding based on these will help you ensure that you are choosing the paint finish that will not only look beautiful and elegant but will also be durable and long-lasting.