I don't know how or even really if it applies, but the phrase "too clever by half", and in particular the article that has appeared here several times before [1] came to mind.

Also a thing I've thought about, which is echoed in the opening bits of the article, is that many people will buy or build a starter home, and then over time build it up into something much fancier or larger. At which point, it isn't really a starter home anymore, and who is going to want to buy such a thing when they could just do the same over time except in the style they actually wanted?

[1] https://www.epsilontheory.com/too-clever-by-half/