You’ve been touring homes, scrolling listings, and refreshing Zillow like it’s your job. But when it comes down to making an offer, how do you actually know if it’s the right move? Figuring out how to know you’ve found the right home can feel a little like dating, equal parts logic and gut instinct.
Let’s break down what really matters when house hunting in Portland, Maine, and how to recognize when the stars finally align.
First Impressions Matter (More Than You Think)
You walk through the front door and… something just feels right. Maybe it’s the way the sunlight pours into the kitchen, or how your favorite chair would perfectly fit in the corner of the living room. It’s not always logical, but it’s worth paying attention to.
One of the biggest clues in knowing you’ve found the right home is that initial reaction. Sure, it might not check every box on your wish list, but if you find yourself already mentally moving in, that’s a strong sign you’re onto something good.
In Portland, where homes can move quickly (especially in hot neighborhoods like the West End or Deering Center), trusting your gut can help you make decisions before someone else swoops in.
One of the biggest clues in knowing you’ve found the right home is that initial reaction. Sure, it might not check every box on your wish list, but if you find yourself already mentally moving in, that’s a strong sign you’re onto something good.
In Portland, where homes can move quickly (especially in hot neighborhoods like the West End or Deering Center), trusting your gut can help you make decisions before someone else swoops in.
The Location Just Works for Your Life
Let’s talk location. In a city like Portland, this can mean a lot of different things depending on your lifestyle. Maybe you want to walk to your favorite coffee shop in East Bayside. Maybe you need to be near 295 for your daily commute. Or maybe you just want to hear the seagulls and smell the salty air on your morning walk.
If the neighborhood checks your boxes and fits how you actually live your life, congrats, that’s a major green flag.
It’s easy to fall in love with a beautiful house in the wrong place. But when the home and the neighborhood work together? That’s when it gets exciting.
If the neighborhood checks your boxes and fits how you actually live your life, congrats, that’s a major green flag.
It’s easy to fall in love with a beautiful house in the wrong place. But when the home and the neighborhood work together? That’s when it gets exciting.
The Numbers Feel Comfortable, Not Just Possible
Let’s be real: just because you can get approved for a certain amount doesn’t mean you’ll feel good living at that price point. One of the clearest signs you’ve found the right home is when the numbers make sense without maxing out your comfort zone.
Think monthly payment, taxes, utilities, maintenance, especially in Maine, where winter heating costs can add up. If you can picture yourself enjoying the home and still having a life (and a savings account), that’s a sign you’re in the sweet spot.
And bonus: if the home doesn’t need a long list of repairs or upgrades right away, that’s even more breathing room.
Think monthly payment, taxes, utilities, maintenance, especially in Maine, where winter heating costs can add up. If you can picture yourself enjoying the home and still having a life (and a savings account), that’s a sign you’re in the sweet spot.
And bonus: if the home doesn’t need a long list of repairs or upgrades right away, that’s even more breathing room.
You’re Not Making a Mental List of “Fixes”
Yes, every home has quirks. But if you’re already tallying up projects, costs, and compromises before you’ve even left the open house… it might not be the one.
The right home should feel mostly ready to go. Sure, you might want to paint or swap out a few light fixtures, but if you're thinking about moving walls or gutting the kitchen, you might want to keep looking, unless you’re up for a renovation project.
In Portland’s mix of historic homes and new builds, you’ll find a wide range of conditions. The trick is finding a home where you love what’s already there, not just what you could maybe make it into later.
The right home should feel mostly ready to go. Sure, you might want to paint or swap out a few light fixtures, but if you're thinking about moving walls or gutting the kitchen, you might want to keep looking, unless you’re up for a renovation project.
In Portland’s mix of historic homes and new builds, you’ll find a wide range of conditions. The trick is finding a home where you love what’s already there, not just what you could maybe make it into later.
You Can See Your Stuff in It
It’s a little thing, but it’s a big sign. If you walk into a room and immediately think, “That’s where the couch would go,” or “We could host Thanksgiving here,” that’s your brain telling you you’re already emotionally invested.
Visualization is a huge part of how to know you’ve found the right home, and if it’s happening naturally, that’s a good sign you’re seeing more than just four walls. You’re seeing a future.
Pro tip: In competitive neighborhoods, trust those visual cues and act quickly if the home checks your top priorities. It might not be around tomorrow.
Visualization is a huge part of how to know you’ve found the right home, and if it’s happening naturally, that’s a good sign you’re seeing more than just four walls. You’re seeing a future.
Pro tip: In competitive neighborhoods, trust those visual cues and act quickly if the home checks your top priorities. It might not be around tomorrow.
You Keep Looking at the Photos (Again and Again)
You’ve left the showing, but you’re still flipping through the listing photos like they’re vacation pics. You’re texting your partner screenshots. You’re imagining where the dog’s bed will go. Sound familiar?
That mild obsession is your subconscious telling you this might be the one. It’s probably one of the most relatable signs in the “how to know you’ve found the right home” journey; when you keep going back because you don’t want to forget it.
That mild obsession is your subconscious telling you this might be the one. It’s probably one of the most relatable signs in the “how to know you’ve found the right home” journey; when you keep going back because you don’t want to forget it.
Your Gut Says Yes, And Your Head Doesn’t Say No
This is where logic and emotion meet. The house feels right. The location works. The numbers are solid. Your real estate agent doesn’t look concerned. You’ve read the disclosures, and nothing jumps out. It’s not perfect, but it feels good, and you feel ready.
That’s when you know you’ve hit that rare balance of excitement and confidence.
That’s when you know you’ve hit that rare balance of excitement and confidence.
Ready to Find the Right One?
At the end of the day, knowing when to make your move is all about tuning into what matters most to you. If a house fits your life, your budget, and your gut instinct, chances are, it’s the one.
Still not sure how to know you’ve found the right home? The team at Lifestyle Properties knows how to guide you through the process without pressure. They know the Portland market inside and out, and they’ll help you spot the signs (and the red flags) so you can feel confident every step of the way.
Reach out to Lifestyle Properties for expert guidance, local insights, and a team that’s 100% committed to helping you find the right home.
Still not sure how to know you’ve found the right home? The team at Lifestyle Properties knows how to guide you through the process without pressure. They know the Portland market inside and out, and they’ll help you spot the signs (and the red flags) so you can feel confident every step of the way.
Reach out to Lifestyle Properties for expert guidance, local insights, and a team that’s 100% committed to helping you find the right home.
