Grandma’s Favorite Things… and What They Teach Us About Real Estate

Some people teach through books. Others teach through long speeches. And then there are the grandmas who teach through the little everyday habits that make you laugh, roll your eyes, and—surprisingly—offer solid real estate advice.

Here are eight of Grandma’s classic “favorites,” and how they oddly relate to today’s housing market.

1. Her “Emergency” Cookie Tin… That Contains Sewing Supplies

Grandma’s motto: hope for cookies, prepare for buttons.
Real estate translation: always expect surprises during a transaction. Inspections reveal things. Appraisals get interesting. Closings shift. A little flexibility goes a long way.

2. Her Habit of Saving Gift Bags From 1992

If the bag is still intact, Grandma considers it “brand new.”
In real estate terms: repurposing matters. Sellers who freshen up what they already have—furniture, décor, paint—often get big returns without spending big. Buyers do it too when they look past the carpets and imagine the home’s potential.

3. Tupperware With No Matching Lids

She won’t part with a single piece, even though none of them close.
Real estate takeaway: buyers always want storage. Sellers never feel like they have enough. Clearing out the mismatched lids makes your closets look bigger, instantly.

4. A Chair No One’s Allowed to Sit In

It’s decorative… allegedly.
Homes need functional staging, not a “museum corner.” Sellers listing their homes should remove anything that screams “no one has touched this since the 80s.”

5. The Candy Dish With Perma-Ribbon Candy

It hasn’t been refreshed since the first Bush administration.
This is your decluttering reminder. Every home has a “ribbon candy zone.” Clear it before showings so buyers focus on the house, not wondering if that candy predates modern refrigeration.

6. Double-Checking That the Door Is Locked… Then Checking Again

Safety first. Then again… and again.
Buyers do this with inspections, paperwork, and walkthroughs. Sellers: it’s not nitpicking. It’s normal. Buyers are channeling the spirit of Grandma.

7. Talking About “The Good Old Days”

Grandma loves nostalgia; buyers love charm.
Historic beams, built-ins, and a porch with stories to tell all pull on the emotional strings. Sellers should highlight the home’s history without offering a 60-minute oral presentation.

8. The Thermostat Set to One Temperature… Forever

Her rule: anything above 68 degrees is wasteful.
Comfort matters in real estate too. Whether you’re prepping for showings or settling into your new home, environment and atmosphere affect how a home feels, not just how it functions.

Final Thought

Grandma’s habits may be quirky, but they’re oddly effective guides to buying and selling property. Whether it’s decluttering, prepping, pricing, or staying calm when things get bumpy, a little Grandma-style wisdom goes a long way.

If you want guidance that’s practical, grounded, and occasionally as honest as Grandma herself, I’m here anytime.