6 Common Reasons Homeowners Experience Buyer's Remorse After Purchasing a House

Three out of four homebuyers admit to having at least one regret about their purchase. Follow these tips to avoid buyer's remorse In a competitive seller’s market, it’s easy to get so caught up in finding a home that you overlook potential downsides or fail to think about whether it will meet your long-term needs. This often leads to some form of buyer's remorse after living in the house for a while. That’s what happened to Mary Germany Gibson when she bought her home in Columbia, Tennessee, in 2021. "We love our home," Gibson said, "but we regret having all four bedrooms upstairs. We should have taken more time to find one with a primary bedroom on the main level." Mary’s experience reflects a common theme among homebuyers—rushing the process and not taking enough time to find the right fit. Many buyers also regret overspending, exceeding their budget, or compromising on key features. Buyer’s remorse after purchasing a home is actually quite common. Many recent buyers have reported having at least one regret about their purchase, with a large number admitting they had to make compromises to afford their home. We gathered insights from homeowners who’ve been through this experience to help you avoid the common pitfalls of rushing into a purchase or settling for something that doesn’t meet your needs. Keep reading to learn how to make a choice you’ll be happy with in the long run. Reasons people feel buyer's remorse after purchasing a house Too much maintenanceSome homeowners regret buying a house with too much upkeep. One person mentioned that if they could do it over, they'd opt for a condo with a smaller yard, as maintaining a large one can be overwhelming. There's nothing more frustrating than watching a once-beautiful garden fall into disarray because it’s too much to manage. Lesson for buyers: Know your limits—physically, mentally, and financially—and consider what you’re realistically willing to maintain. The home is too smallAnother common regret is not considering how the space will suit your lifestyle. One homeowner wished they’d held out for a place with a larger kitchen and dining area, as they love to entertain, but their current setup makes it difficult. Lesson for buyers: Focus on what makes a home functional and enjoyable for you. Keep a list of "must-haves" and make sure the home you choose fits your needs. Wrong locationSome buyers love their home but regret the location. For example, living on a busy road with constant noise or too far from conveniences like grocery stores can take away from the enjoyment of a new house. Lesson for buyers: Visit the neighborhood at different times of the day and on different days of the week to get a sense of what it’s really like. Test your commute and consider proximity to places that matter to you. Older home needing repairsBuying an older home can seem appealing, but some homeowners regret it once the repairs start piling up. One homeowner found themselves replacing the roof, fixing the sewer, installing a new water heater, and rebuilding the deck—all within two years. Lesson for buyers: Always get a thorough inspection and consider a home warranty. Have a budget for renovations and be prepared for the unexpected. Overlooking the surroundingsSome homeowners regret not paying enough attention to their surroundings. After living in their home for two years, one buyer found themselves wishing for more privacy and a bigger lot. Lesson for buyers: Consider the environment around your home. Some features, like space and privacy, are hard to change and should be factored into your decision. Not doing enough researchOne buyer bought a newly built home but didn’t research the builder enough. As a result, the home wasn’t finished properly, and they spent a lot of time chasing down the builder to fix issues. Lesson for buyers: Take time to research before making a decision. Whether buying new or existing, know the builder, agent, and lender to avoid unpleasant surprises. Other ways to minimize buyer's remorse Avoid distractions: It’s easy to get swayed by pretty features like a nice kitchen or staging, but the most important factors are layout and location. These are much harder to change. Take a break: If home shopping feels overwhelming, step back and take a break. Many buyers have found that a pause helped them reassess and avoid rushing into a decision they’d regret later. Love your neighborhood: Make sure the location works for you. Consider things like commute times, walkability, and access to public transportation to ensure you’ll enjoy living there. Align your priorities with your budget: Work with a good agent to make sure your list of priorities is realistic within your budget. Create a checklist of needs versus wants to keep you on track, especially if you're shopping with a partner. By knowing where you're willing to compromise and what’s a deal-breaker, you can avoid many common regrets and make a confident home-buying decision.