Why Surface Knowledge in Property Isn't Enough - Or in Life

Dear valued clients and friends,

Have you noticed how often people already have the answer before they've asked the question?

We've become so used to having Google in our pocket and AI at our fingertips that we've forgotten the value of genuine expertise. Not the kind that rattles off bullet points, but the kind that comes from years of starting, making mistakes, learning again - and getting it right. In property, in life and everywhere in between, that difference matters.

Years ago, I worked with a painter named Alex. He didn't just put colour on walls - he first prepared. Painstakingly. Methodically. He'd spend hours sanding, priming, inspecting, fixing. And when he was finally done, the finish was flawless. Not because he had the fanciest tools, but because he understood that how you do something matters just as much as what you do. Clients loved him. So did we - to the point that he thought we named our son after him.

I was reminded of this recently when a buyer visited one of our new developments. She had done her research - stormwater drainage, the developer's track record, even checked facts with ChatGPT. But when it came to understanding the warmth and intention behind a "village-style" estate, she missed it completely. The walls weren't high enough for her liking - and so the soul of the place, the community aspect, was lost on her. The facts were there. But the insight wasn't.

There's a quote I've always liked:
 "Data is not information, information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom."

It came to mind again when my daughter was talking about "Google doctors" - people who show up at the GP with a self-diagnosis and a treatment plan from the internet. Or last week, when Tracey in the office paid a deposit for a beautiful puppy she found online, only to later discover it was a scam. She did the research after the decision. Like many of us, she wanted the thing to be true - and looked for proof that it was, rather than asking the questions that might have revealed it wasn't.

And so it goes. We binge facts, skim headlines, tick boxes - but do we stop to ask the deeper questions? The who, the why, the how much time have you actually spent doing this?

It's the same in property. You can interview three estate agents and still not know who's really going to walk the journey with you. Sometimes the best answer won't come with stats - it'll come from a gut feeling after a face-to-face chat or the way someone answers when they don't know everything.

So if you're on the edge of a decision - whether it's about a home, a job or just the best paint colour for your kitchen - slow it down. Ask better questions. Speak to someone who's been around long enough to know what matters. Trust the voice that doesn't always tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to.

And if you're thinking of selling or just want a second opinion from someone who's walked this road more times than I can count - let's talk.

We're here and we've just made the decision a little easier. For a limited time, Homes of Distinction is offering a 4% commission winter special - that's a 20% saving on standard fees - valid until 31 August. It's a smart time to sell... but only if it feels right and if the people guiding you know what they're doing.

Let's talk soon - face to face, if we can.

Warmest regards,

Jonathan Broekman
Principal | Homes of Distinction
www.homesofdistinction.co.za
📞 083 444 1155 | 📧 jonathan@homesofdistinction.co.za