6 Culprits of Home Buyer's Remorse That Every Agent Should Know

Three out of four buyers who purchased a home in the past two years reported having at least one regret about the home they bought, according to a 2022 Zillow survey. And about 8 in 10 of those successful buyers say they had to make at least one compromise in order to afford a home.

Given the subsequent drop in inventory and more than doubling of interest rates since then, it’s fair to assume today’s buyers are under even more pressure. Those pressures put buyers at risk of purchasing a home that is less than ideal.

When we asked about buyer regrets on Facebook, more than 5,000 people shared the pitfalls they experienced from moving too quickly or losing sight of what they need to make a happy home. Their experiences provide opportunities for agents to help buyers see beyond the immediate pressures to find a home that fits.

Here are six of the most common reasons your clients may feel buyer's remorse, and how you can help them avoid regret.

1. They bought a home that requires too much maintenance

“If I could do it over, I’d buy a cute condo with a small yard. Tending to a house with a big yard is just so much work.”

Few things can match the disappointment of finally getting your own yard only to watch the previous owner’s gloriously curated garden devolve into a weed-infested tangle due to neglect.

About 32% of buyers surveyed by Zillow expressed having buyer’s remorse after purchasing a house that needed more work or maintenance than expected.
Agent tip: Help buyers understand what’s truly involved in home maintenance, and ask them to think about what they’re willing to take on.

2. They bought a home in the wrong location

“I love my house, but we’re on a busy road and the traffic noise never stops.”

Imagine buying a home for the peace and quiet it offers only to discover there’s a busy bus stop out front. Or maybe there’s a nearby business district that draws throngs of people late into the night. Or, if your clients like to shop for fresh food every day, picture what a chore it’ll be if the nearest grocery store is 15 miles away.

“Buyers can get distracted by a pretty kitchen or great staging when they should concentrate instead on a home’s two biggest factors: its layout and location,” says Seattle-based Zillow Premier Agent Lucas Pinto, team lead at the Lucas Pinto Real Estate Group, Compass. “It’s very tough to change both.” 

More than a quarter (28%) of surveyed buyers say they would have shopped for and purchased a home in a different area.
Agent tip: Recommend that buyers visit the home at different times and days to get a sense of the rhythm of life that surrounds it. If they’re shopping in a specific neighborhood and plan to commute to work, have them test drive during rush hour or take mass transit to their workplace. You also can share these tips on how to choose a neighborhood. 

3. They bought a home that’s too small

“I wish we had given more thought to how we wanted to live in our home. We could have waited until we found one with a large kitchen and dining room. We love to entertain, and it’s hard to do when the kitchen is so small.”

Buyers can get so fixated on buying any available home that they lose sight of what makes a place livable and comfortable for them. 

For some people, it’s the ability to host large gatherings. Others like to build things and need space to do so. And some people just need their own bathroom. Those must-haves can be easily forgotten during a frenzied search.

“A great agent can reframe a buyer’s home search and keep them focused on their priorities,” Pinto says, “helping them make a confident, informed purchase decision.”
Agent tip: Ask buyers to share a list of must-have characteristics when they’re shopping. If they start to veer off course during the search, refer back to the list and remind them of what they’ll be giving up.

4. They bought an older home that needs a lot of repairs

“We bought an older home, thinking we could fix it up over time. But some things can’t wait. In just two years, we’ve had to replace the roof, dig up the side sewer, install a new water heater, and rebuild the deck.”

There’s one constant with homeownership: If something breaks, it’s your problem
Agent tip: Be sure to include inspections as a contingency and negotiate a home warranty. Familiarize your buyers with the hidden expenses of home ownership, and give them an idea of what renovations might cost.

5. They didn’t consider the total environment

“We were so focused on the house that we didn’t give enough consideration to the surroundings. After two years of staring at my neighbors’ homes, I find myself craving privacy and acreage.”

Ask your clients to think about what makes them happy in their current home. What’s missing that they would pay a premium to have? Have them make a list of those things and check the homes you’re showing them against the list. Focus on the day-to-day lying in the home. Do they need a lot of light during the day? Make sure the windows aren’t shaded by large trees. Do they hate yard work? Consider the size of the yard and its composition.
Agent tip: There are a lot of things you can change about a home. However, any structural change such as removing walls, adding windows or space is likely to be an expensive fix. Look for homes that have the qualities that are most important to your buyers.

6. Not doing enough research about new construction

“We bought a newly built home but didn’t do enough research on the builder or what we should expect when we moved in. The home wasn’t finished, and we had to spend a lot of time chasing after the builder to fix and finish things.”

While inventory remains low, new construction has picked up in recent months. It may be a good idea for buyers to explore new construction homes in your area as an alternative. However, that alternative brings uncertainty if a home is still in progress. Tracking down builders for updates and dealing with revised timelines can make an already stressful process even more of a headache.
Agent tip: Familiarize yourself with new construction options in your market, and stay current on customer reviews about builders. Taking the time to research issues related to quality and timeliness upfront can help save your clients from buyer’s remorse.