It’s Not the Price. It’s Not the Size.

The most underrated criterion is:

Functionality.

A home can be:

• spacious

• in a good area

• “well priced”

• renovated

And still drain you every single day.

What Real Functionality Actually Means

This is not about luxury.
It’s about flow.

1️⃣ Spatial flow

• Can you move comfortably through the space?

• Are there dead corners?

• Is the kitchen positioned logically?

2️⃣ Natural light & orientation

• Does sunlight enter properly?

• Is there cross-ventilation?

• Do you feel open — or boxed in?

As discussed in “Why Natural Light Is the New Currency in Real Estate”,
light affects not only value — but also psychology.

3️⃣ Noise & micro-location

• Do you hear traffic?

• Do you hear neighbors?

• Is there constant background disturbance?

These details never appear in listings.

4️⃣ Storage & practicality

• Is there real storage space?

• Are closets functional?

• Is there room for the things you don’t use daily?

Lack of storage is one of the main reasons homes start feeling suffocating over time.

Why This Matters More Than €/sqm

Many buyers compare properties only by price per square meter.
but square meters do not measure quality of life.

Two 90 sqm homes can feel:

• completely different

• equally priced

• yet radically unequal in daily comfort

The Problem Doesn’t Appear in Month One

At first, everything feels fine.

After six months:

• the noise becomes irritating

• the lack of light feels heavy

• the layout feels inefficient

• the children’s room feels cramped

And by then, changing homes is not simple.

A home is not furniture.
It’s not easily replaced.

A 20-Year Decision

Most buyers are not buying for two years.

They are buying for:

• 10

• 15

• 20 years

• sometimes a lifetime

So the real question isn’t:

Is it a good price?

It is:

Will this home work well for my life long term?

Where the Difference Shows

Many older apartments:

• have structural compromises

• lower ceiling heights

• outdated layouts

Modern, well-designed homes:

• have better flow

• more light

• stronger mechanical systems

• lower operational costs

You live better.
And the property usually holds value better.

The Role of Poli Real Estate

At Poli Real Estate, we don’t start with price.

We evaluate:

• spatial flow

• light exposure

• orientation

• acoustic comfort

• micro-location

• long-term functionality

Because the right home is not found in search filters.

It is felt in everyday living.

Conclusion

The most underrated criterion before buying a home is not:

• the price

• the neighborhood

• the square meters

It is:

How well this home will function in your real life.

And no listing will ever tell you that.

Talk to Poli Real Estate to properly evaluate a property’s functionality before making your decision