There is almost identical apartment for sale currently like what we bought a year ago. There are some technical differences, but besides those looking at the pictures I don't think I would have even considered it if that would have been the one for sale a year ago instead of the one we bought.
Even though it wasn't the exact look of the apartment I did see potential in our new home right from the start. It took some effort to renovate it to meet my vision, but for me it was pretty obvious what I wanted to do from the first time I saw it.
This other one has few small differences, which actually could be modified the same way as they are in our apartment. Knowing them now of course wouldn't prevent me from seeing them on that one either. It's just all the small differences there that make it too far away from my ideal place to live. Even if getting there would need the same amount of renovations.
The preconception formed by the first sight is so strong that even acknowledging it can prevent you from seeing the full potential that could be.