-
Jon DiPietra, a New York–based real estate valuation executive, explains why common beliefs about space and value often miss the mark.
New York, US, 30th January 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, New York City is full of opinions about real estate. Many of them are repeated so often they start to feel true. But according to Jon DiPietra, decades of hands-on valuation work tell a different story.
“You learn things you cannot see in a report,” DiPietra says. “That’s where most of these myths fall apart.”
Below are five common myths that mislead everyday people across dense urban markets, why they persist, and what actually matters instead.
Myth 1: Bigger Space Always Means Better Value
Why people believe it:
Square footage is easy to compare. Listings highlight size first, so people assume more space equals more value.
The reality:
In dense cities, efficiency matters more than size. Studies show poorly used space can reduce productivity by up to 30 percent, even when square footage increases.
As DiPietra puts it, “The goal is not to produce the highest number. The goal is to produce something that makes sense in the real world.”
Try this today:
Identify one underused area in your home or office and repurpose it for a single clear function.
Myth 2: National Data Tells You Everything You Need to Know
Why people believe it:
Online tools and national reports feel authoritative and precise.
The reality:
Real estate is hyper-local. In New York, conditions can change block by block. National averages often lag reality by months.
“Real estate is ultimately driven by people, not formulas,” DiPietra says.
Try this today:
Walk your block at different times of day. Notice noise, foot traffic, and how spaces are actually used.
Myth 3: If a Space Worked Before, It Should Still Work Now
Why people believe it:
People resist change and assume layouts age well.
The reality:
How we live and work has shifted fast. Surveys show nearly 60 percent of people say their space no longer supports how they work today.
“Clear thinking matters more than being busy,” DiPietra notes.
Try this today:
Ask one simple question: What do I actually do here every day? Adjust one thing to support that reality.
Myth 4: More Information Leads to Better Decisions
Why people believe it:
Data feels safe. More feels smarter.
The reality:
Too much information can slow decisions and increase stress. Research links information overload to poorer judgment.
DiPietra says, “More data does not always lead to better decisions.”
Try this today:
Limit yourself to three criteria when evaluating a space or decision. Ignore the rest.
Myth 5: You Need a Major Renovation to Fix a Space
Why people believe it:
Media and social platforms spotlight dramatic transformations.
The reality:
Small changes often have outsized impact. Lighting, noise reduction, and decluttering consistently rank among the highest-return improvements.
“Sometimes the simplest changes create the most lasting value,” DiPietra says.
Try this today:
Improve lighting where you spend the most time. It is one of the fastest ways to change how a space feels.
If You Only Remember One Thing
Spaces influence behavior more than most people realize. When a space creates friction, it is often a design problem, not a personal one.
Understanding how space actually functions is more valuable than following assumptions or averages.
Call to Action
Share this myth list with someone who lives or works in a dense city. Pick one practical tip above and try it today. Small changes, applied intentionally, add up.
About Jon DiPietra
Jon DiPietra is a New York–based commercial real estate valuation executive and cofounder of H&T Appraisal, the valuation group of Horvath & Tremblay. With more than 20 years of experience, he has worked across residential, commercial, mixed-use, and special-use properties, focusing on how real people actually use space.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Times World USA journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
