After 20+ Years in Brisbane Property, Here’s What Still Surprises Me

I’ve spent over two decades immersed in the Brisbane property market. From boom cycles to downturns, inner-city renovations to leafy suburban expansions, I’ve seen a lot. But here’s the honest truth: some things still surprise me.

Not because I don’t know what I’m doing. But because property isn’t just about numbers or trends. It’s about people—and people, as we know, are wonderfully complex.

Here are three things that continue to catch me off guard, even after 21 years of buying homes for Brisbane families and investors.

1. How often smart people still buy emotionally

Let’s be honest—intelligence doesn’t make you immune to emotion. Some of the savviest professionals I work with (surgeons, lawyers, CFOs) can fall into the trap of tunnel vision when they’re buying for their family.

They walk into a beautifully staged home, feel that spark, and suddenly everything else blurs: the compromised layout, the poor orientation, the lack of future potential. Logic takes a back seat.

It’s totally human. You want to feel something when you buy a home. But when the emotion outweighs the analysis, that’s when mistakes happen. And those mistakes can cost hundreds of thousands.

My job? To hold the emotional line. To bring that clear-eyed perspective when it matters most. And yes—sometimes that means being the voice of reason when everyone else is swept up in the excitement.

2. The impact a single street can have

You can have two homes, same suburb, similar size and age—yet one will sell for $400K more. Why? Because it’s on the right street.

In Brisbane, micro-location matters. Some streets are elevated with breezes, others are flat and flood-prone. Some have wide frontages and beautiful streetscapes, while others are dominated by unit blocks or traffic noise.

It’s not just about postcode. It’s about position, outlook, privacy, and neighbourhood feel. These things aren’t always obvious online. You need feet on the ground and decades of experience to read the landscape properly.

It still amazes me how many buyers gloss over this. They focus on the house, not the street. But you can fix a kitchen. You can’t fix a location.

3. How quickly things can change

I’ve seen entire suburbs transform in five years. I’ve watched sleepy pockets become buyer battlegrounds almost overnight. Infrastructure, schooling changes, lifestyle shifts—they all shape value.

Sometimes, clients assume today’s prices reflect long-term value. But in Brisbane, growth is often non-linear. A suburb that was overlooked last year can surge this year. A street once deemed fringe can become core.

That’s why strategic foresight matters. Not guessing—but interpreting signals. Watching where the council is spending, understanding demographic shifts, and knowing which changes actually translate into value.

I still get surprised—but I’m never caught off guard. Because we track these shifts constantly.

The lesson? Stay curious, stay humble

After 20 years, what surprises me isn’t that the market changes. It’s that so many people think they can master it alone. Without context. Without support. Without a second set of eyes.

Buying property in Brisbane isn’t about having the most information. It’s about knowing which information matters, and what to do with it.

And if you ever find yourself second-guessing or overwhelmed—know that you’re not alone. We’re here to help. With strategy, insight, and real-world experience.

Because in property, what you don’t know can cost you.

Let’s make sure you don’t pay that price.

— Meighan

Why Property Pursuit Advisors?

At Property Pursuit Advisors, we specialize in guiding prestige home buyers and investors through the Brisbane property market with confidence. Whether you’re purchasing from interstate or overseas, don’t have time to commit to the extensive search and due diligence process, want to ensure you don’t over pay or simply want expert guidance so that you make intelligent property decisions, we’re here to make the process as smooth and rewarding as possible.

Ready to find your ideal property? Let’s talk.

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