Barbara Corcoran keeps her home-buying philosophy simple. And it has worked for her again and again. She follows one rule that gives her confidence she will never struggle to sell later.
Now in her seventies, the longtime Shark Tank investor has watched markets rise, stall, and rebound more times than she can count. She built her career by spotting value early and knowing when to walk away. That experience taught her that many buyers get distracted by the wrong details.
She does not chase fancy kitchens or dramatic finishes. Those things date quickly and can always be changed. What matters most to her is where the home exists in the world. Streets, neighborhoods, access, and energy around the area shape a property’s future more than anything inside its walls.
Corcoran sees a good setting as insurance. Even when the market cools, buyers still want homes in places that feel right. That steady interest makes selling easier when the moment comes. For her, choosing the right spot is what turns a house into a lasting asset.
Barbara Corcoran’s Home Buying Rule
During a conversation on Boardroom Talks with host Damien Scott, Corcoran kept her message straightforward. She offered clear advice to anyone thinking about buying a home or getting into real estate, and she did not dress it up.
She explained that people often overthink purchases or get emotionally attached too fast. That is where mistakes begin. Her approach is to step back and judge a property by one standard she never bends.
She called it her personal rule for buying real estate. If a property does not meet that rule, she moves on without regret. She believes that kind of clarity helps buyers avoid costly decisions and make smarter choices from the start.
Barbara Corcoran’s Advice on Stretching Your Home Buying Budget
Corcoran said she has stuck to this rule throughout her career, even when it pushed her to stretch financially. At times, it meant paying more than she initially felt comfortable with.
She explained that the higher price never scared her if the property met her standard. In her experience, that choice always paid off. The homes held their value and gave her options later.
With hindsight, she believes that choice saved her from bigger mistakes. Trusting that rule gave her confidence, even when the purchase felt risky in the moment.
She explained this ideology by saying, “My rule is: Every home I ever bought, I bought the best location I could possibly afford and very often couldn’t afford it. I was always afraid I couldn’t sell it. Later on, if it’s the best location, you can always sell it.”
How Barbara Corcoran Thinks About Work, People, and Success
Corcoran said her career in real estate taught her lessons that had nothing to do with property alone. Over time, those experiences changed how she thinks about work and success. And that has reflected in her other professional endeavors.
She mentioned that people often take business too seriously and forget its human side. When everything becomes rigid, the joy disappears. That usually shows in the results.
For her, enjoying the people you work with makes a real difference. When there is laughter, ease, and mutual respect, work feels less like a grind and more like something worth building together.
She elucidated on the idea by saying, “Have fun with the people. If you’re not having fun with the people that work for you, you’re not going to get a creative force. The minute you have a good idea, you should run with it. Most people analyze the idea and take the time. [But] if you think of it, you run with it…”
The Trait Barbara Corcoran Looks for Before She Invests
Corcoran said this approach shapes how she thinks about running a business on a daily basis. To her, everything starts with the people in the room. When you hire people who actually like their work, the environment naturally feels healthier.
She believes that mood and attitude don’t stay contained. They move through a company. When people feel good about what they’re doing, they work better together and take more pride in their roles. That balance supports both the business and the people behind it.
She has seen the same pattern on Shark Tank. Many of the founders who stand out share a positive attitude. Some of them watched their first ideas fall apart not long after getting funded, yet they kept going. That mindset helped them recover, adjust, and try again.
“I’ve had entrepreneurs I’ve invested in where the business has gone bust within like a year, and they’ve reinvented themselves and started a different business. I’ve been a partner to them. They always land on their feet. They keep trying. It’s the most important trait. If I have an entrepreneur that I know can come through hardship, I know I’m going to make money, period,” the real estate mogul explained.
How Barbara Corcoran Carries Her Mindset Into Everyday Life
Corcoran shared that her focus on enjoyment carries into her life outside of work as well. It shapes how she spends her free time and who she chooses to spend it with.
As a mother of two, she makes room for laughter and easy moments with friends. She values connections that feel natural and energizing.
She sees positivity as something you practice every day. It shows up in her relationships just as much as it does in her work.
