My husband and I spent two years designing and building what we believed would be our forever home—a true labor of love. Over time, our priorities shifted. This is the story of our experience downsizing from 10,000 Square Feet to Downtown Condo Living.

Lessons Learned Selling My Own Dream Home

My husband and I spent two years designing and building what we believed would be our forever home—a true labor of love. Every detail was chosen with care, every inch designed for the life we imagined. A grand European-style estate, it had everything: a Nanny/Mother-in-Law/Elder Care suite, a wine cellar that housed over 1,000 bottles of our favorite vintages, a gym, a movie theatre, multiple sprawling outdoor spaces for entertaining, and even a five-car garage with a motor court for guests. The chef’s kitchen boasted a walk-in pantry the size of a commercial restaurant’s kitchen, and we even planned ahead—our contractor installed elevator-ready closets for the day our knees might demand them. The centerpiece of it all? A breathtaking three-story handcrafted spiral staircase and a custom limestone fireplace that could rival the one at the Biltmore. This wasn’t just a house. It was our home. It was us.

For nearly 13 years, we filled that space with laughter, late-night conversations, celebrations, and quiet Sunday mornings. It was where we hosted friends, watched our dreams unfold, and built a life we cherished. Meanwhile, my husband traveled yearly to fill the Great Hall with trophies from his African adventures. 

But over time, our priorities shifted. It was no longer about hosting grand parties or entertaining friends in our trophy home. The kids were growing up and leaving the nest, and we found ourselves craving something different—something simpler. Maintaining a 10,000-square-foot home is no joke, and as much as we loved it, we longed for a new chapter. We wanted to travel more, experience life beyond homeownership responsibilities, and trade in our sprawling estate for the walkability and charm of downtown living—where our favorite restaurants were just a short stroll away.

How could this home NOT sell?

We were sure that our masterpiece would sell in an instant. We imagined multiple offers, bidding wars, and buyers falling in love at first sight—just like we had. Who wouldn’t want to own something this special?

Reality hit us hard.

We carefully selected a top-tier agent, someone with experience in luxury real estate, and followed their advice… at first. But as the weeks passed without the flood of offers we expected, doubt crept in. The feedback from buyers felt like personal attacks. Too personalized. Too grand. Too specific. The offers—when they did come—were far below what we thought our home was worth.

At first, we refused to believe that price and condition were the problem. Instead, we blamed the market, interest rates, and buyers who just “didn’t get it.” Surely, someone would appreciate the uniqueness, the character, and the love we had poured into every inch.

Against our agent’s advice, we resisted change. Neutralize the space? Absolutely not. Lower the price? Not without a fight. We clung to the belief that the right buyer would come along—if only they could see what we saw.

The Reality Check.

By the time we rang in 2024, our dream of moving downtown seemed further away than ever. And then, it hit us.

The house wasn’t selling because of the very thing that made it special to us. What we saw as irreplaceable, buyers saw as limiting. What we loved deeply, they struggled to envision as their home.

So, we did the hardest thing: we listened. We took our realtor’s advice. We made changes. We let go of the idea that this house had to be everything we had envisioned, and instead, we focused on making it appeal to the people who would next call it home.

Within eight weeks, it sold.

Lessons Learned.

 Selling a taste-specific home is an emotional journey. It’s not just about the house—it’s about the memories, the dreams, and the deep connection you have with a place you’ve poured your heart into. But selling successfully means stepping back and trusting the expert you hired to guide you.

I learned firsthand that ego has no place in real estate. The best thing you can do—whether buying or selling—is to trust the process, trust your agent, and remember that a home’s true value isn’t just in what you see—it’s in what others can imagine.

And sometimes, letting go of one dream is the only way to fully step into the next.