Sometimes I'm startled and amused by the gaudiness featured in some of the most expensive properties around the globe. Most wealthy people tend to hire a top interior designer and architect when building or renovating a home, but often ego gets in the way. The end result is sometimes a poor person's fantasy of what they think 'wealthy' should look like.

But who am I to judge? Everyone should be allowed to spend their money the way they see fit. Taste is in the eye of the beholder. Even if that means one too many crystal chandeliers or one too many infinity edge pools with multi-colored lighting systems and fountains with 'unusual' statues. Naturally when this gaudiness extends to the exterior of a home, offending neighbors and passers-by should be considered, and often this is prevented by HOA rules and even some town building codes. Sometimes the excesses and the inability to edit is akin to a kid brought to a candy store and told they can buy whatever they want.

Whenever a home is designed with an extremely specific look, that owner is often flabbergasted when told that chances are the next buyer will undo their work and put their own stamp on the property. It's especially painful when massive amounts of money have gone into the property but agents are compelled to be honest. Yes, there may be ONE other person on the planet who will find this property appealing, but that's a very risky market to enter. Most wealthy buyers are almost certain to renovate anything they buy. When design is so extreme as to be distracting, that can prevent seeing the future, which sometimes requires the painful conversation around 'toning things down', painting, staging, etc.

Fortunately, many of the gaudiest homes are built in prime locations and that is often sufficient to allow the next buyer to look past the design. More importantly, how dull would this planet be if everything was exquisitely tasteful.