Parenting has a way of teaching you things you never expected. One of the most surprising gifts my kids have given me is a new way of seeing the world. In real estate and in life, we’re trained to look for value, potential, and problems to fix. But kids? They see what’s interesting, what sparks joy, what makes a space come alive. And watching how they move through the world has changed the way I approach my work.

Kids Notice the Small Stuff

Have you ever watched a kid in a model home? They don’t care about the square footage or the granite countertops. They’re more likely to notice the squeaky door hinge, the funny shape of a window, or the way sunlight hits the floor in the afternoon.

These observations might seem small, but they’re a reminder that people experience homes in deeply personal ways. It’s not just about features and finishes. It’s about how a space feels. When my daughter pointed out that one of the hallways in a new build felt “a little spooky,” I realized we needed better lighting and maybe some artwork to warm it up. Adults might have brushed that off. But she was right. That hallway felt cold.

Curiosity is Contagious

Kids ask a million questions, and most of them don’t have easy answers. Why is the floor like this? Why can’t we have a slide in the backyard? Why do all houses have white walls?

When I let myself entertain these questions instead of dismissing them, I find new ideas. Maybe the floor can be different. Maybe we can build something playful out back. Maybe we don’t need to default to white walls every time.

Their curiosity makes me more creative. It helps me challenge industry habits and push for designs that are both functional and full of personality.

They Remind Me Who I’m Building For

When you’re deep in budgets, permits, and project timelines, it’s easy to forget that the end goal isn’t just to finish the house. It’s to create a place where someone’s life will unfold. A place where kids will learn to ride bikes in the driveway, where families will gather around the kitchen table, where milestones will be celebrated.

My own kids keep that front and center for me. They remind me that a home isn’t just a product. It’s a backdrop for memories. It’s where real life happens. That perspective keeps my work grounded and makes the outcome feel much more meaningful.

Play Over Perfection

One weekend, I was walking through a finished property with my son. It was pristine. Everything was new, spotless, and perfectly staged. But he didn’t seem impressed. He just said, “It’s nice, but where would we play?”

That hit me. We often focus so much on making homes look perfect that we forget to make them livable. Real homes need to work for real families. That means space to sprawl, places to get messy, and corners to build forts in. Since then, I’ve tried to include more flexible areas in my projects. Places that don’t have a specific label but can be shaped by the people who live there.

Honesty, Unfiltered

Kids will tell you the truth. If something’s boring, weird, or wonderful, you’ll hear about it. That kind of unfiltered honesty is rare—and incredibly useful. I’ve brought my kids to job sites, walkthroughs, and even open houses. And more than once, they’ve picked up on things I missed.

They’re not caught up in what’s trendy or marketable. They just respond to what they feel. That gut-level response is something I try to tap into more often now. It helps me stay connected to the human side of real estate.

Seeing with Fresh Eyes

It’s easy to get jaded in this line of work. You start to see homes in terms of margins and square footage instead of possibilities. But kids are naturally optimistic. They imagine what could be instead of getting stuck in what is.

Their way of seeing rubs off on me. I now walk into homes, even outdated or damaged ones—with a more open mind. I ask myself what a kid might see here. Could this tiny backyard become a magical little world? Could this awkward nook become a reading space or a secret fort? Often, the answer is yes.

Why I Keep Bringing Them Along

People sometimes ask me why I bring my kids into my world. Shouldn’t work stay separate from home life? For me, the two are deeply connected. The way I approach my work is shaped by my role as a dad. And the way I parent is shaped by what I learn through my work.

Bringing them into the process keeps me inspired, keeps me humble, and keeps me focused on what really matters. They remind me that the best parts of a home aren’t always the ones listed on the spec sheet.

The Realest Advisors I Know

I may have years of experience and a long list of completed projects, but my best insight still comes from the little voices in the back seat asking why that house has two front doors or why the garage smells like cookies. Their perspective is pure, honest, and refreshingly practical.

If you work in real estate, construction, or design, I encourage you to spend more time with kids. Let them walk through your projects. Listen to what they notice. Ask them questions. You’ll be surprised by what you learn.

A New Way of Seeing

My kids have helped me develop a better eye, a sharper ear, and a deeper sense of purpose in what I do. They don’t just teach me to spot what grown-ups miss. They help me create spaces where families can truly live, grow, and thrive.

And honestly, that’s what building homes should be about.