The nature of our homes are ever evolving. You’ve heard the phrase, “home is where the heart is.” But after COVID, and after what I learned from a book my older brother recommended to me, I think the saying could be, “home is where our creativity is.”
Let me explain. I recently learned about how our brains work by reading Annie Murphy Paul’s “The Extended Mind.” And what I learned has helped me as a real estate agent.
In this post, I’ll share some of Paul’s most exciting ideas, and I’ll give some practical ways her wisdom applies to real estate.
Paul says our brains are much bigger than just the gray matter that’s inside our skull.
We like to think of our minds as computers. And we often think of brains as being like machines—just crank them up and let them work.
But Paul argues that the human mind is not a machine.
She says that minds work differently:
- In different spaces
- Under different conditions
- With different tools
- When collaborating with others
To break her ideas down further, consider these points:
- We think better when we move our hands and bodies.
- Where we think matters—some spaces are more conducive to thinking.
- We think better together.
So, how do each of these points connect to real estate? Let’s review each of these points.
We think better when we move our hands and bodies.
Buying or selling a house is a full-body experience. Rather than just look at properties on the computer we need to “move our bodies” into the spaces we may inhabit.
If I show you a house (I serve the Raleigh, NC area), I want you to pay attention to how you feel when you’re in it. Is it a place you believe you could think clearly? If so, you may want to make an offer on it. Will you be able to relax in this home, or is there something about the house that makes you feel uncomfortable?
Where we think matters—some spaces are more conducive to thinking.
“Where” we live and think matters. When I go on a retreat, the physical location of the building can allow for greater “clarity and freedom” of thought. Price is obviously crucial, but the actual spaces we inhabit impact our mental health. This points back to the idea that your house should be a space where you can think clearly. You’re going to spend a lot of time in it, which means you’ll do a lot of thinking there.
We think better together.
Most importantly, we all need companions. I couldn’t agree more with the idea that we think better together. Imagine buying a house “alone.” This would be minimizing your brain into only its gray matter.
I’m here so that you don’t have to buy a house in North Carolina alone.
I want to remind you that it’s okay to be overwhelmed by the homebuying process. It takes a lot to get to closing day.
So, let’s gather your courage and step into that future space that will truly inspire. Reach out, let’s talk, and let’s work together.