Have you ever noticed that you can live somewhere for a week and never want to leave, or live somewhere for a decade and never feel quite right? It’s not about luxury, or location, or anything discernable. Some places just feel like home.

The experts say that cooking your meals can help this happen. Something about the scent of your favorite foods permeating the walls, making rooms feel more friendly. Wall colors and patterns apparently affect coziness, too. They either jive with you, or they don’t. Lighting, temperature, sounds, and pets contribute as well.

But there is another, more elusive component. I lived in my New York City apartment for more than 20 years. It took 10 of those years to feel like home. I’ve lived here, in our house, for less than four. But as soon as I walked through the doors the first time, I knew I was home. The scent of my cooking was not yet in the walls. The lighting was not mine, and the temperature was comfortable for the sellers, not for me. The wall colors were pretty, but not applied by my hand. Our dogs were not here, they were waiting for us to return to another place.

So, what was it? I’ll never know. But I never want to live anyplace else. Despite our 1960s-era kitchen with original formica counters. Our steeply sloped driveway, treacherous in ice and snow. The raised part of our yard that sprouts the world’s tallest weeds, even in winter. Week-long power outages whenever a strong breeze hits. And if we ever do put our home up for sale, I will scowl as potential purchasers walk through it. How dare they not fall in love with this place at first glance, just as I did. If they don’t have that “look,” they need to look elsewhere. Right now.

If you are searching for your home, your special place, I can help you. Because it’s not about the sinks, or the marble, or the doors. It’s something else … something more … and a house either has it, or it doesn’t. If you feel this way about your home and need to sell it, I can help capture that essence in your marketing. And minimize your inconveniences along the way.

Have a good weekend, and enjoy your home.