To want is to buy and renovate

Mario and Ana are a young couple who were looking for the light and, after an endless search, they found it in a beautiful apartment in Madrid Río.

But to learn its story, let's start at the beginning: the moment they laid the first stone.

Do you know how they started? In the best way possible, by calculating their budget. To do this, they turned to the best option: friends. Some of them were interior designers, and others were architects; together they set a limit that they were determined not to exceed.

And that's taking into account something very important: thinking about what a renovation can entail! Spoiler alert: it can entail, and it does entail.

Once they had taken this big step, they applied filters to the search platforms and started scouring the market. Their lifelong neighborhood was far from where they wanted to be, the center of Madrid; so, everything pointed to Legazpi as their next stop.

If they say Madrid is heaven, it's for a reason. Chic restaurants and entertainment venues abound, but as always, the price tag exceeded their budget . The best thing about life is that everything—or almost everything—has a solution. So, they broadened their horizons and started considering a different kind of house.

We know what you're thinking: that this can happen to anyone. We all aspire to be right in the thick of things, but in the end, we have to keep recalculating our course. Yes, it's normal, which is why it's important to consider alternatives.

But what could be better than the center? They looked at houses with gardens in Mejorada del Campo, but their idea was too clear: " we're not in that area ."

And so, they headed towards the Manzanares River and went down the riverbed until they returned to the area they wanted.

By the way, who hasn't heard the saying "family is thicker than water"? Well, Mario's mother grew up in a very nearby area: General Ricardos. Imagine the excitement when they said they were looking at an apartment in that area!

We have a house: it was time to make it to our liking

Even on the first tour of the house, you could see their enthusiasm for creating an optimized space, ready for their daily lives, knowing that every square meter would be crucial in creating the home they were looking for.

From unbelievable to real, but how can you choose a bedside table when your house is a complete mess? Embarking on a renovation means having a few things very clear in your mind.

Here, it's important that you open your home to the process because mistakes are inevitable; and that's perfectly fine, they're part of the game. Especially when it's your first time undertaking a renovation.

Patience is the mother of science, and of reforms!

Advice to navigators, although we live in a society where everything has to be done now, Mario and Ana are clear on this: in a renovation, things have to be thought out very well.

Getting caught up in the construction process can impact your time and, above all, your budget. The sooner you can make a decision, the better; and always take the necessary time. Even if it's the last thing on the construction plan, if you resolve it before starting, you'll avoid unpleasant surprises.

And speaking of scares, take Mario and Ana's advice, because they always seem to happen during a renovation. In their case? A problem with the downpipes, but they managed to fix it in the end.

Plan, plan, and plan some more. But what do you need to consider when designing a room? Here's a tip you won't forget, as important as learning to ride a bike. The most crucial thing is to take routines into account.

In their case, there are weeks when Mario works from home, and others when he doesn't. Therefore, they reserved a room for him to work in, and also for Ana to use when he wasn't working. That way, it's neither for me, nor for you, nor vice versa.

When you start a renovation, you have many decisions waiting to be made: separate or open-plan kitchen? large bedrooms or do we gain space in the living room?

So, when you embark on a renovation…

• You need to clearly define how much money you can spend. And if you're looking for a house to renovate, that's something to keep in mind!

• Take the time to visualize your house, every detail and every corner.

• Don't leave any decisions until the last minute.

• Be patient, everything will come in time. Even the opening party!

And yes, a renovation may seem like a long road, but when you go through it, you have nothing to reproach yourself for, simply enjoy your new home.