Believe it or not, there are many lessons from the chemistry workshop I call my Sourdough experiment. As I have tried various methods and recipes, I began comparing the sourdough process to what I do in real estate. Hang with me for a moment to explain.
As the flour floated in the air in my kitchen, I believed I was just picking up a relaxing, new hobby. My idea of that yummy, freshly baked bread that pops out of the oven looking perfect was quickly dashed as the messiness of the process superseded my Betty Crocker moment.
While working away in the kitchen, I have had a lot of time to think through the processes of creating that perfect loaf of bread. The most important lesson was patience. Any type of baking happens with trial and error sprinkled with a ton of old-fashioned endurance.
With sourdough, many steps must be done in order. If you miss a step, no doubt, your result will most likely not be ideal. That's exactly like our gig in real estate. We have many processes that must be performed in the proper order and with expertise.
Like the sourdough process, things don't always happen exactly the way everyone would like. Buyers want the perfect house immediately. Sellers want the perfect offer right out of the gate. But like sourdough, good things tend to happen when the timing is right—not when someone tries to force it.
Another interesting analogy is that both sourdough making and real estate involve a surprising amount of chemistry. Just like the bread that is bubbling and exchanging gases as it ferments, our clients can hold up a purchase process because they are in analysis paralysis. Or perhaps, they just need some time to ferment on the whole process.
This is why working with a seasoned real estate professional is key! Preparation! Good sourdough bakers measure carefully, monitor temperatures, and pay attention to timing. Skip a step, and things can go sideways quickly. Real estate is the same. Proper pricing, staging, photography, inspections, negotiations—it’s all part of preparing a property for success. The deals that go the smoothest are usually the ones where in-depth preparation was performed.
And finally, both sourdough and real estate require a little faith in the process. When you slide a loaf into the oven, you don’t fully know what you’re going to get. Maybe it will rise beautifully. Or, maybe it will fall and come out looking a little wonky.
Buying or selling a home can feel similar. There are always unknowns, a few surprises, and moments when you wonder if everything will come together. But when it does—when the loaf comes out golden and crusty, or when the closing documents are signed, and the closing happens—it’s incredibly satisfying.
So while sourdough bread may have started as a hobby, it’s become a reminder that some of the best things in life, whether it’s bread or real estate, simply take time, preparation, and a little trust in the process. I guess the art of making sourdough can help me with the art of making "dough"!
Oh my, the puns are numerous! I'm on a roll today! Let's rise to the occasion! In sourdough, we trust! 😂😂😂😂😂
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