As we move into a brand-new year, many people set their resolutions, and if buying your dream home is what you have set your sights on, with the right strategies and the right mindset you can turn that dream into reality.

Big goals like home ownership call for more than just having the right strategies in place (hello budgeting and getting your financial ducks in a row!) -  they also call for the right mental attitude. Even the best strategies can fall by the wayside if your head is not in the right space. 

One way to get motivated and stay true to your goal is to imagine your desired outcome as if it’s already happening. This technique is widely used by athletes, performers, and individuals in various fields to enhance their performance and reach their objectives. 

The link between ‘seeing’ success and experiencing success

Harvard physiologist Edmund Jacobson was the first person to discover the link between visualising success and making it happen. Jacobson found that if you imagine yourself lifting an object, you trigger corresponding electrical activity in the muscles involved in the action. So even just by simply thinking about lifting a weight, the muscles that are responsible are activated.ⁱ

His studies have since been replicated to find correlations between mental rehearsal and success. Everything from shooting that hole in one on the golf course to being the winning bidder for your dream home, can be enhanced through the process of visualisation.

The benefits in visualising the ideal home

Visualisation works because it engages both the conscious and subconscious mind. When you visualise the home you want to buy - right down to the view from the windows as you walk in the door and your furniture in the lounge room - your brain begins to recognise it as a reality, which can increase your motivation and determination, as you put in place the financial systems to help you get a deposit together.

Visualisation can also help you to focus on the specific attributes you want in your new house and the lifestyle you aspire to have and can be useful to sort out the ‘nice to haves’ from the essentials. 

Ready to get started?

Set clear goals

As a starting point it’s important to establish clear, specific goals for your home purchase. Ask yourself:

• What type of home do I want? (e.g., single-family, condo, townhouse)

• In which neighbourhood or city do I want to live?

• What is my budget?

• What are my must-haves? (e.g., number of bedrooms, outdoor space, proximity to schools)

Writing these goals down will give you a tangible reference point and help you stay focused.

Create a vision board

A vision board is a powerful tool in the visualisation process and can be a source of great inspiration when your motivation is waning. Gather material that represents your dream home and the lifestyle you wish to achieve. You can use physical materials like magazines and a poster board, create a digital version using platforms like Pinterest or simply pop a brochure on the fridge of a property that represents the ideal for you. However you create your visual inspiration it will serve to keep that vision of the home that’s out there for you firmly in your mind.

Take action

Visualisation is a powerful tool, but it must be combined with action to yield results. Use the clarity gained through your visualisation practice to develop a concrete action plan. This could include:

• Assessing your finances

• Determining your budget and how much you’ll need for a deposit

• Getting pre-approved for a mortgage

• Researching neighbourhoods and attending open houses

Set achievable milestones, and regularly check your progress. Celebrate small victories along the way, as they can provide motivation to keep you moving forward.

Stay open to possibilities

While visualisation helps you focus on your specific goals, it’s also important to remain open to new opportunities. The housing market can be unpredictable, and you may encounter options that you hadn’t considered. Trust your instincts and be willing to adapt your vision if necessary.

Remember, visualisation is not about dreaming; it’s about transforming your goals into reality and with the right mindset you’ll be on the right track to achieve your home purchase goals.

i Task-Specificity of Muscular Responses During Motor Imagery - PubMed Central