Home Buyer Advice: When a House is a Home

Andra Arnold • January 6, 2020

I thought I’d start off the New Year with some home buyer advice :). So my specialty for a long time was strictly on the buying side of things, and with that, a skill set of understanding what and who my clients are is the thing that sets me apart, I believe, from other people.

  A house – it’s 4 exterior walls (well sometimes more than 4) and a roof.  With rooms, and floors depending on the style (floors as in levels). In my experience, I’ve learned that a home has a feeling , it’s not just those 4 exterior walls.

Home has a feeling

It’s the comfort of when you walk in the front door and it can feel almost like a hug. My dad still lives in the house we moved to when I was 4, and that house to me is the epitome of home. The large sprawling front porch, the double french doors, the pocket doors and the 115-year-old windows. These are things that call to me in a house but they aren’t always what calls to my clients.

Here are some photos of the home I grew up in. Stay tuned for another blog post talking more about my childhood home and my own real estate journey!

Picturing yourself cooking and sleeping and making memories in a house are what make it a home. If possible, I always make my clients go back to see a property multiple times at different times of the day or days of the week. This helps them understand what the neighbourhood can offer. The light that the house has. And most importantly seeing a house for a second time even in the swiftest market is imperative.

If you don’t like a house equally or more the second time you are there, it 100% is not your home. And that’s okay!

The largest investment in your life

Your home is the largest investment you will ever make and not just monetarily – it’s because it’s where you are choosing to live, and living is what we are here to do isn’t it? 

I hope you enjoyed my rambling and reading my home buyer advice. I hope you have a super day. 

To view real estate listings, visit realtor.ca. I’m here if you ever have any questions!

Take care,

Andra

Meet the Andra Arnold Team

A group of people are posing for a picture in a park.

Andra Arnold & Associates are a Top Rated, Award-Winning Guelph real estate team that has a passion for helping people. We truly live by our motto “Here to Help”. Our team brings quality expertise to our clients’ buying and selling experiences. The team's dedication, eagerness to help, and experience allow clients navigate one of life’s biggest decisions!

Check Out Our Featured Listings

A view of a city from the roof of a building.

More blog posts on buying and selling real estate



By Andra Arnold September 3, 2025
Discover key insights from the Guelph real estate market in August 2025. Sales dipped 26% from July, while prices held steady with a 2.8% month-over-month rise. Learn what this means for buyers and sellers heading into the fall market.
Aerial view of a residential neighbourhood, dense with trees and houses under a bright blue sky.
By Andra Arnold September 2, 2025
Discover Old University in Guelph, historic homes, walkable amenities, and a competitive real estate market make this neighbourhood one of the city’s most desirable places to live.
Aerial view of a residential neighbourhood with many trees, houses, and a distant industrial area on
By Andra Arnold August 31, 2025
Explore Riverside Park in Guelph. History, amenities, lifestyle, and real estate insights. Discover why this riverfront community is one of the city’s most sought-after neighbourhoods.
Aerial view of Guelph's St Patrick's Ward neighbourhood
By Andra Arnold August 18, 2025
If you’ve spent any time in Guelph, you’ve probably heard people talk about “The Ward.” Officially called St. Patrick’s Ward, this neighbourhood sits just east of downtown and has a personality all its own.
Skyscrapers under construction with several cranes against a blue sky.
By Andra Arnold July 28, 2025
Risks and rewards of buying pre‑construction in Guelph. Timelines, financing, and developer vetting, so you can invest wisely and secure your new condo.
A realtor is guiding two people up some stairs.
By Andra Arnold July 16, 2025
Compare condos vs. freeholds in Guelph to find the best fit for your lifestyle, budget, and goals. Low‑maintenance living or full control awaits.
More Posts