When Your Market Expectations Don’t Match Reality (And What to Do About It)

One of the hardest parts of buying real estate…especially in a market like Orange County…is when expectations and reality don’t line up.

I see it all the time. Someone wants a 5 bedroom, 6 bathroom “mansion” in Orange County for $450,000. I get it. We all want the dream. But the truth is… that just isn’t possible here. Not in today’s market. Not even close.

Now, could I get you a massive house for that price? Absolutely. Just not in the location you’re hoping for.

And after 16+ years of doing this, what I still don’t understand is why so many people would rather have more space over a better life.

I would much rather live somewhere that feels alive, safe, comfortable, and connected—even if it’s smaller—than buy something huge far away and spend my entire life sitting in traffic trying to get back to the life I actually want to live.

Size Isn’t Everything…Lifestyle Is

When buyers focus only on square footage, they often miss the bigger picture:

• How long is your commute?
• How much time will you spend in your car?
• Will you actually enjoy where you live?
• Will you feel connected to your community?

A bigger house doesn’t automatically mean a better life—especially if you’re exhausted, disconnected, and never home to enjoy it.

My Advice (That I Give All the Time)

I say this constantly, and I stand by it:

Just get into something.
I truly don’t care what it is.

If it’s a $450,000, 1 bedroom condo…great! That’s your entry point. That’s your asset. That’s how you start playing the game.

Because here’s the part people forget…

Real Life Monopoly: How Trading Up Actually Works

Let’s look at a simple example:

• Purchase price: $450,000
• Down payment: $50,000
• Loan amount: $400,000

Fast forward 5 years:

• You’ve paid down your loan (let’s say you now owe roughly $370,000)
• The property has appreciated modestly (now worth $500,000)

That means:

• $130,000 in equity
  (Your original $50,000 + loan paydown + appreciation)

That equity becomes your power move.

Now you’re no longer starting from scratch. You’re selling, rolling that equity forward, and buying your next home—the one that better fits your long-term vision.

That’s what I call real life Monopoly.

You don’t start the game owning everything. You start small, you build, and you trade up.

Why This Matters So Much

When you already own something and go to buy again, everything changes:

• You’re bringing equity to the table
• Your purchasing power increases
• You have options
• You’re not stuck waiting on the sidelines hoping prices magically drop

But when you don’t own anything yet, you have to start somewhere.

And that’s why I always tell people:

“I don’t care what you buy… just buy and get into the game.”

Final Thoughts

If the market isn’t meeting your expectations, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed or that homeownership isn’t for you. It just means your strategy might need adjusting.

Focus less on perfection and more on progress.
Focus less on size and more on lifestyle.
Focus on getting in…not getting everything all at once.

Because once you’re in, the game changes.

And that’s when the real opportunities start.