Let's Talk About Realty

In chess, there is a concept called Zugzwang. It describes a situation where a player is put at a disadvantage because they must make a move, but every available move makes their position worse. Many sellers feel this way after their property has sat on the market for three, four, or five months. They feel stuck. If they lower the price, they feel they are "losing" money. If they keep the price the same, the property continues to gather dust, becoming what I call a "stale listing." But here is the truth: You are not in Zugzwang. You are just afraid to pivot. In my last article, we discussed how overpricing causes you to lose the market. Today, let’s talk about how to get it back. The Sunk Cost Fallacy The biggest enemy of a stale listing is not the market conditions; it is the seller’s ego. We tell ourselves, "But I’ve already waited this long, surely the right buyer is just around the corner." This is the Sunk Cost Fallacy. It’s a refusal to change course...

Did you spend 2025 in “wait‑and‑see” mode, perhaps watching the market, weighing your options, trying to decide when to make your next move? As we step back into the office and reset for the new year, one trend in Harare is becoming impossible to ignore. You’ve seen it. I’ve seen it. Everyone in the market is talking about it. The rise of the townhouse complex. If 2025 was the year of hesitation, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of strategic action . And nothing captures that shift better than the surge in demand for cluster living. Whether you’re a young professional buying your first home or a diaspora investor looking for a clean, low‑maintenance asset, the townhouse is ticking every box. Here’s why I believe 2026 will be the Year of the Cluster . 1. The Lock‑Up‑and‑Go Lifestyle Is Now Essential The romance of the one‑acre northern suburbs home is fading fast. Between mowing lawns, maintaining pools, and managing security, a standalone house has quietly become a part‑time j...

The Hidden Cost of Mispricing and the Power of Perceived Value We’ve all said it: “It’s overpriced.” “They’re asking for too much.” “You’ve priced me out.” These phrases echo a deeper truth: price and value are not the same thing . Price is a number. Value is perception. And perception is shaped by timing, presentation, and emotional resonance.  The Misconception of Starting High In property and in many industries, there’s a flawed strategy: Start high, let them negotiate down. But here’s the danger: when a product is correctly priced, it’s unyielding . It doesn’t invite negotiation; it invites the right buyer. The one who sees the value and moves swiftly. Overpricing, on the other hand, delays movement. It breeds doubt. It creates a psychological barrier between desire and action. And in real estate, time is not neutral. It’s corrosive.  The Risk of Lingering A property that stays too long on the market becomes a question mark: What’s wrong with ...

“Expensive.” “Overpriced.” “Undervalued.” These are the words that echo through conversations about the housing market often spoken with frustration, skepticism, or resignation. And while there’s a kernel of truth in each, they don’t tell the full story. Yes, property prices can feel inflated. Yes, some listings seem to defy logic. And yes, buyers and sellers alike often question whether true value still exists. But here’s the twist: value isn’t just about numbers. It’s about perspective, timing, and strategy. In our previous article, we explored “the cost of cheap” how chasing low prices can sometimes lead to costly compromises. But that’s just one layer of the housing market’s complexity. The real intrigue lies in how perception shapes decision-making, and how savvy navigation can turn apparent disadvantages into golden opportunities. The Mirage of Price: Why Expensive Doesn’t Always Mean Overpriced Let’s start with a metaphor: imagine a diamond buried in sand. To the untrai...

As a lover of all things tech, I’ve noticed a curious pattern that speaks volumes about how we value protection, investment, and expertise. Someone saves up for months to buy the latest smartphone. It’s sleek, powerful, and full of potential. But what happens next? They rush to buy the cheapest case they can find, a $2 plastic shell that barely fits, barely protects, and barely honours the value of what it holds. They feel satisfied. The device is “protected.” But is it really? Now let’s zoom out. Let’s talk about real estate.  The Parallel That Hits Home You’ve worked hard. You’ve saved. You’re ready to enter the property market, maybe to buy your first home, invest in a rental, or secure a family legacy. But then comes the decision: Do I hire a registered agent or go it alone? You tell yourself, “Agents are too expensive.” So, you find someone who’s cheaper. Someone who says all the right things. Someone who feels like a shortcut. That’s your $2 case. ⚠️ What ...

New beginnings are scary. They’re thrilling, yes, but they also ask us to close chapters we once thought were permanent. They demand courage, not just to start, but to let go. And letting go isn’t always dramatic; it’s often quiet, personal, and deeply emotional. For me, writing has always been a passion. It’s how I process, persuade, and connect. It’s the thread that’s stitched meaning into my work, my relationships, and my reflections. That’s not ending. But something new is beginning. I’m adding a voice to the page, a literal one. We’re starting a podcast. Now, almost anyone can start one. That’s true. But here’s my argument: my worldview isn’t a carbon copy of the next person’s. It’s shaped by stories, scars, and strategies that deserve to be heard. I’ve spent years negotiating, storytelling, and listening. And if I can share what I know, and my partner brings their own lens to the table, I believe we’ll find an audience that resonates. Still, it’s scary. It feels like we’re steppi...

Weep not for roads untraveled, nor for the one that got away. These words often echo in the quiet corners of our minds, moments of reflection on paths not taken, chances missed, or dreams deferred. In today’s fast-evolving world, many liken new opportunities like AI to the cryptocurrency wave of years past. The comparison is apt: both arrived cloaked in uncertainty, promising transformation but demanding courage. But what prompts us to reflect on missed opportunities? A well-read colleague once quoted Shakespeare to me: “Things without all remedy should be without regard.” It struck me. Perhaps the real tragedy isn’t the missed opportunity, but the paralysis that precedes it, the fear of the unknown that keeps us from leaping. When opportunity does arrive, it rarely wears a name tag. It often feels like a disaster waiting to happen. I know this firsthand. I took a leap of faith into real estate with no backup plan. No safety net. No guarantees. And I’m not here to tell you ...