Formal appraisal & value

Everyone lives in a palace! On valuations and expectations

11 November 2025 · 3 min read

As an estate agent, you quickly learn one thing: everyone lives in a palace. At least, in their own eyes. And that is wonderful, because a house is more than bricks: it is emotion, memories and pride. But as soon as a For Sale sign has to go up in the garden, feelings and reality often collide with the hard facts of the market.

The comparison with the neighbours

One of the most frequently heard phrases during a valuation is: yes, but the neighbours asked that much too. Of course, your home has insulation and double glazing. But that house three doors down may have had a new kitchen, a modern bathroom, a corner plot or even a garage. Or that lovely line: my home is perfectly maintained, until you walk in and have to close the front door gently, because otherwise the kitchen cupboards will come off the wall. Valuing property is a craft.

A mission impossible valuation

One example has always stayed with me: in 2017 I was invited to visit a family in Helmond. The front door barely opened because of all the clutter. I got as far as the meter cupboard, and no further. I explained that I needed to be able to see the home to determine a fair value. Two weeks later, the man of the house called enthusiastically: it has been cleared up. With some trepidation I went back, and what did I find? A beautifully clean, fresh and tidy house, down to the last detail.

Honest advice with an amazing result

They even thanked me, not for the valuation, but for the kick up the backside, for making them want to turn their house into a home again. We sold the property and I had the pleasure of guiding them through the purchase of their new home, where they still live. And the best part: had they not followed my honest advice, the sale would certainly have ended €50,000 lower. The other estate agents, who quickly valued the house through the clutter, all started their advice €50,000 lower.

True value lies in the approach

So a lower recommended asking price can actually lead to a higher final result, provided the home is well presented and marketed. True value lies not only in the bricks, but also in the approach and in honest advice. That is where we make the difference.

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