Shut The Front Door

This week, I met someone utterly fascinating; an expert in fine art and antiques. Their daily work? Reconciling actual value with perceived value; often shaped more by emotion, family lore, and personal expectation than by market fundamentals.

They described a familiar scene: one family member boasts they bought a painting or heirloom “for next to nothing”;proof of their savvy. Another justifies a high spend in the name of legacy or “future appreciation.” The dealer’s job is to honour the emotional narrative while anchoring every appraisal in cold reality.

Sound familiar?

Property operates on the same tightrope. There's the intrinsic value of a home and then there’s the myth we build around it. Whether you're upgrading, selling, or buying, your challenge is to balance sentiment with substance.

What to Watch Out For ; Practical Tips & Mindset Checks

1. “Adds value to you” ≠ “Adds value to the market”

Investing in a chef’s kitchen because you love to cook? Commissioning handcrafted wardrobes for the joy of daily beauty? These are meaningful lifestyle decisions; but they’re not always market decisions. What enhances your life may not boost resale.

Tip: Before any upgrade, ask: “Would 80–90% of buyers see this as a win?” If yes, it likely adds value. If not, consider it a personal passion expense worthy, but not guaranteed to pay off.

2. There’s a ceiling on “over-spec’d” features

You can keep layering on smarter tech, finer finishes, and designer fixtures. But at some point, the market stops caring. Think of it like an espresso machine: essential to you, disposable to your future buyer.

Tip: Invest in what expands utility, space, or uniqueness, extensions, structural upgrades, outdoor enhancements; not just premium aesthetics.

3. Comps must truly compare (Where possible)

Sellers often cherry-pick the best-looking comparable sales. But “same postcode” doesn’t mean “same property.” A glossy result on paper may hide critical differences in layout, size, craftsmanship, or even street aspect.

Tip: Stress test your comps:

• Is the square footage equivalent?
  

• Do finishes and materials match?
  

• What about street appeal, views, or garden orientation?
  

If the answer’s no, the comp isn’t a fair benchmark.

4. Beware the well-meaning chorus

When money, emotion, and legacy collide, everyone suddenly becomes an expert, friends, relatives, even your neighbour’s second cousin. You'll hear “You should get €X more” or “Don’t sell below Y.” It’s often noise. Unless they are buying then and there, nod politely and seek practical counsel.

Tip: Rely on objective, aligned advisors; people who benefit only if you succeed long-term, not those trying to inflate expectations or justify past choices.

5. Be ruthlessly clear on intent

Before upgrading or listing, ask yourself:

• Is this about lifestyle now, or resale later?
  

• Am I beautifying for joy; or for the next buyer?
  

• Would I be content if this never paid me back?
  

Clarity here prevents regrets. Your home is both sanctuary and asset; honour both roles wisely.

Why This Matters in a Tight Market

We’re in a scarcity-driven market: low inventory, high demand, increasingly selective buyers. Surface-level logic;“but I spent X, so it must be worth Y”;often falters.

By grounding decisions in reality over narrative, you protect both your lifestyle and your equity. Great property decisions blend:

• Pragmatism (What the market pays)
  

• Personal resonance (What brings you joy)
  

• Exit-awareness (What a future buyer sees)
  

Your job, as a homeowner or investor, is to navigate this dance with clarity and discipline.

And that antiques expert? They reminded me: whether it’s art or real estate, the real value lies in understanding when emotion enhances a decision… and when it clouds it.