Let me give you some relationship advice of great value and I should know – I have been in 3 relationships that were strong at 5 years and over by 10.

My angles that attracted at 5 years were edges that repelled at 10.

I was on-song and hip at 5 and off-key and dated at 10 years. 

I was a house, not a home!

Why what changed? I had the same slightly overweight façade – the same financial semi-competence and whilst I don’t want to discuss my backyard – I can say to outsiders, I felt the same deal. 

Why then a drop in feelings towards me? Why at 5 years was there certainty; at 7 a question mark and too late and by 10, certainty again but on the opposite spectrum to 5 years ago.

Why don’t I age like a good red wine?  Why am I more like bubbles – enjoy quickly before I go flat.

Why? Well, I am a house and not a home.

3 incarnations?  How could I be delightful then despised – then to the next delighting then despicable and then more recently a delight till again a disappointment?

Renovation?

Is there another iteration, can one keep renovating to attract – is there anything to repolish to cover what is missing?

Am I archetypal rather than a classic? Is it me or my owners? Am I just too different for mass appeal?

Am I some strange building but not a home?

Times, tastes and people change. Maybe with all that change, I haven’t moved with the times. Maybe I’m a vendor still overpricing my value, yet again.

Maybe I am still a spa and or a butler’s pantry rather than the required mini basketball court – or should I be land, a big block of it, and then who cares about my street-appeal?

2 out of 3 tests ain’t bad Mal – but it ain’t enough.

No question that initially I had something. On the first date I attracted – the first impressions test passed. Obviously, I got through the sleep tests – only to fail at the longer-term gut test.

My PPPs

Positionally I am an agent’s nightmare; being into my 5^th decade having only moved 40 metres. All my relationships have been in Brighton, despite growing up a Donny Boy. Positionally I’m solid.

Price: I always pay market price, but I accept the value I offer in return is seen by some as unders.

So, it comes down to my P for Property.

As a Property I look good brand new and after 5 years I am still good, but seemingly without explanation by 10 years I’m dated and my resale without significant rework attracts no premium – in fact, there is baggage found and a discount demanded.

And this is my advice to you on whether you date a keeper….or not.

If they are not, if they are a house but not a home, then get rid of them at 5 years while the sparkle is still there, rather than go through the denial of change before ending in a loss to the market on a 10-year hold.

Tastes age, we age, buildings age. Land does not – but we are not talking about substance, we are talking about builds which in a shallow world are seemingly the main game.

Following on, if you buy “brand new” at 5 years thinking that in another 5 it will still be “brand new” then mmmmm – that is high-risk time for this uncertain dating period.

After 10 years it’s all so obvious and the market pays accordingly and almost only for the land unless some plastic surgery has successfully reinvigorated. But those renovations can be costly and not always successful  – I know, I have supported a regime of therapists for years for little return.

Beauty is only skin deep – so to be a keeper – on the inside, you must be light and flow and have proportion, because whilst your façade attracts, only your substance maintains value.

A cunning plan – an out-of-towner – another culture  – one that sees foibles as fruit from a different tree. Immigration does see some builds differently.

As one market is closing, accept the insanity argument of repeating again, think laterally, and look in different ones, for there is value in holding keepers – and 5 – 10 years is a most critical time!