Whether it's a beloved pet or a roomful of happy guests, this contest asks you to consider what makes your house feel like a home.

For homemakers, there's nothing sweeter than when your new house starts to feel warm, inviting and lived in. The first few days, weeks or months that follow a big move can feel unfamiliar, but it's the little pieces of the people who live there — whether it's the cat hair covering the couch cushions, or the books and magazines scattered around the living room — that make a house feel like a home.

Building an environment that is personal, positive and comfortable for you and your family takes time and care. What that environment looks like is different for everybody. Our homes reflect who we are, and RE/MAX Canada wants to know what that reflection means to you. 

Reinforcing this statement, RE/MAX Canada VP, Director of Marketing, Elaine Langhout says, “RE/MAX agents know that it's not just a house for sale, it's a home.”

RE/MAX is putting on a contest that offers participants the chance to win a $500 gift card to Home Depot. To enter, go to RE/MAX's contest entry website and take a short video of yourself answering one question: what makes your home sweet? More details can be found here.

If you need some help finding inspiration for your submission, start by watching this spoken word video from Vancouver-based musician, Kyprios, about what makes a house special. 

If you're still stumped for ideas, you can ask yourself these four questions: 

1. What's my favourite space in the house, and why?

Image courtesy of RE/MAX

When you think about the happiest memories you've made in your home, where do you picture them? Whichever room comes to mind first likely has some significance to you. Think on that for a while. 

Maybe you really love the décor or natural light in a certain room, or it could be the activity that's commonly done there that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. For instance, if you're a foodie, you might relish time spent in the kitchen; and if you love hosting parties or even just enjoying some quality bonding time on the couch, your living room may be the space that holds a special place in your heart. 

2. What are my fondest memories here?

Image courtesy of RE/MAX

After you're done considering your favourite spots in the house, you might find yourself dizzy with memories of good times. Talk about those! 

For some of us, the house we're now living in is our first home. Maybe it represents a blank slate or a new beginning. Your home could even be the start of life together for your family (looking at you, first-time parents!). On the other hand, you could be living in a space that's the site of generations of family history. 

The experiences that you associate with your home set the foundation for your life there. If a story comes to mind that makes you feel especially thankful or tender, don't hesitate to wear your heart on your sleeve in front of the camera. 

3. What kind of energy do I strive to create in my home?

Image courtesy of RE/MAX

The feeling of being at home is exactly that: a feeling. What is it that creates those vibes in your house?

Don't be afraid to talk about what the energy is like in your home. If it's fun and uplifting, full of company and parties and people with busy schedules, maybe that's what makes it a home. If it's relaxed and comforting, more easily associated with leisurely weekends and downtime, you could talk about that in your video, too.

If you live on your own, explore how you create a comforting space for yourself. Without any external influence from roommates or family members, you can choose to decorate and organize your home in a way that puts you at ease. Which adjectives would you use to describe the atmosphere you've created? 

4. What could I do to make my house even sweeter?

The prize for the winner of the RE/MAX Canada social media contest is a Home Depot gift card, so think about what you'd like to do with that money! 

By now, you'll already have thought about the places, memories, moods and people that you associate with home. Take a moment to ponder what you'd like to improve on. An attic or basement that needs some TLC, a bathroom in need of a facelift or a kitchen backsplash that's demanding an update are just a few things that you could put that money towards.

RE/MAX Canada wants to know what you love about your home. To enter the contest, all you need to do is reflect on what your home means to you — and make sure you highlight those reflections in your video submission!