Unexpected Repairs and Maintenance Top the List of Regrets for Homeowners

The large majority of homeowners don’t envy their renter peers: Only 8% of homeowners wish they were renting instead, according to the Zillow Housing Aspirations Report[1].

Still, homeowners do have some regrets – most notably the curse of unexpected repairs: 36% of homeowners wish they didn't have to deal with unexpected repairs and maintenance. The next-biggest regret is the inability to relocate (27%), followed by the bane of too much yardwork (25%).

Almost three in four homeowners (72%) have at least one regret about their home, though rarely that it’s too big. Despite the tiny home craze and a trend toward downsizing, only 11% of homeowners think their house is too large.

Age plays a role, with 81% of younger homeowners (age 18 to 34) registering at least one regret, compared to 65% of homeowners older than 54. The biggest difference in regrets between those age groups is financial: 30% say their mortgage payment is too high, compared to 12% of older homeowners.

Younger homeowners also are more than twice as likely as their older counterparts to say they regret rushing the process of buying a home: 29% compared to 12%.

Children up the ante: More homeowners with children have housing regrets (79%) compared to homeowners who are child free (69%) – but both groups are more satisfied than renters with each of those family make-ups.

In fact, renters[2] in general have more regrets. The biggest: 52% of renters wish they were building equity in their own home, equal to the share that said they wish they could customize their home to suit their needs.

[1] A semiannual survey conducted by Ipsos of 10,000 homeowners and renters in 20 of the country’s largest metro areas.

[2] Renters refer to those who rent their home or live with family members or in another living situation, but do not own their home.