6 Causes of Buyer's Remorse After Buying a House, According to Homeowners

Dusty Rhodes • June 3, 2024

Three out of four homebuyers in a Zillow survey report having at least one regret about the home they bought. Follow these tips to avoid buyer's remorse.


In a hot seller’s market, it’s easy to get so caught up in the search for a home that you overlook the home’s shortcomings. Or, you may fail to consider whether it’s going to work for you in the long run. What follows tends to be some form of buyer's remorse after a period of living in your house.


That’s what happened with Mary Germany Gibson when she bought her home Columbia, Tennessee, in 2021.


We love our home,’’ Gibson said, “but regret having all four bedrooms upstairs. We should have looked longer for a (primary bedroom) on the main level.


Gibson was among more than 5,000 people who shared their biggest sources of regret regarding their house in a Zillow post on Facebook. Not taking enough time to find the right home was one of the themes that emerged, as was paying too much, exceeding their budget and a host of other particulars.


Turns out, buyer’s remorse after purchasing a house is common. In a Zillow survey published in February 2022, 75% of those who successfully purchased a home in the past two years say they have at least one regret about the home they bought. And 81% of successful buyers say they had to make at least one compromise in order to afford their home, according to the survey of recent buyers.


We combed through the Facebook post on top home buyer regrets to glean nuggets of wisdom from the trials and troubles of experienced buyers. Keep reading to learn how to avoid some of the pitfalls that come with moving too quickly or losing sight of the things you need to make a happy home.


Reasons people feel buyer's remorse after getting a house


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 an overgrown, weed-infested tangle due to your own neglect.


About 32% of buyers surveyed by Zillow expressed having buyer's remorse after purchasing a house that needs more work or maintenance than expected.


Lesson for buyers: Know your physical, psychological and financial limits and what you’re able and willing to take on.


2. 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.


Think deeply about what makes you happy about your current home, and the kinds of things that bring you joy. Do you like building things? You might want to put a garage or basement work space on your must-have list. How about entertaining? Consider homes with enough space for cooking and hosting.


Lesson for buyers: Don’t get so fixated on buying any available home that you lose sight of what makes a home livable and comfortable for you. Keep a list with you when you’re shopping of the characteristics that are “must haves” and continue looking until you find one that hits the sweet spots.


3. 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 you’re someone who likes to shop daily for fresh food, imagine what a chore that could become if the nearest grocery store is 15 miles away.


About a quarter (28%) of surveyed buyers say they would have shopped for and purchased a home in a different area.


Lesson for buyers: Visit the home at different times and different days to get a sense of the rhythm of life that surrounds it. Shopping in a specific neighborhood and planning to commute to work? Take a few test drives during rush hours to see what your commute is like, or take the bus or train to your destination.


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 it breaks, it’s your problem.


Lesson for buyers: Be sure to get an inspection or even a home warranty. Price out renovations ahead of time to leave room for the unexpected.


5. They didn't consider the total environment

When we were looking, 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.

Think about what makes you happy about your current home. What’s missing that you’d pay a premium to have? Make a list of those things and check the home you’re considering against the list. Do you need a lot of light during the day? Make sure that you’re not in the shadow of large trees. Hate yard work? Consider the size of the yard and its composition.


Lesson for buyers: 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 you.


6. Not doing more research can cause home buyer regrets

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.


If you’re buying new construction, research the builder. If you’re buying an existing home, research agents and lenders to make sure you’re getting the best representation and the best value.


Lesson for buyers: Taking the time to research issues upfront can save you from home buyer's remorse. It’s worth spending the time to build your knowledge so you can make more informed decisions. This is especially the case if you're buying for the first time.


Other ways to help minimize home buyer regrets


Avoid distractions to avoid home buyer discontent down the road


“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. It’s very tough to change both,” according to Seattle-based Zillow Premier Agent Lucas Pinto, team lead at the Lucas Pinto Real Estate Group, Compass. “A great agent can reframe a buyer’s home search and keep them focused on their priorities, helping them make a confident, informed purchase decision.”


Take a break


If you’re feeling stressed or burnt out from home shopping, take a break. Zillow’s buyer survey found that 59% of successful buyers and 72% of prospective buyers say they took a break from their home search. Both prospective and successful buyers who paused their search were most likely to do so because the type of home they wanted to buy became too expensive. Nearly three-quarters of successful buyers wish they had done at least one thing differently. And nearly 40% wish they had taken more time searching for a home or weighing their options.


Make sure you love your neighborhood


Shoppers also can use tools on all Zillow for-sale listings to calculate travel time to any location from the home. Listings also include walk scores and transit scores to help choose a location you’ll love.


Line up your priorities with your budget and stay realistic


Use a checklist to help establish your needs versus wants. Draft it ahead of diving into a home search, and keep it handy while you shop. When shopping with a partner, the right home should meet the needs of both people. This will help you avoid resentment and buyer's remorse after buying your house.


“It’s important to remember that even in a balanced market, most buyers have to make compromises to stay within their budget,’’ said Garcia, the population scientist at Zillow who conducted the survey. “However, to minimize home buyer regrets, aspiring buyers would be wise to establish where they’re willing to compromise and what’s a deal-breaker before shopping.”





Source: Zillow Blog


Dusty Rhodes Properties is the Best Realtor in Myrtle Beach! We do everything in our power to help you find the home of your dreams. With experience, expertise, and passion, we are the perfect partner for you in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We love what we do and it shows. With more than 22 years of experience in the field, we know our industry like the back of our hands. There’s no challenge too big or too small, and we dedicate our utmost energy to every project we take on. We search thousands of the active and new listings from Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Garden City Beach, Longs, Loris, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Surfside Beach real estate listings to find the hottest deals just for you!

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What Stays With the House When You Move?

By Dusty Rhodes • March 30, 2026
When you’re selling your home , it is natural to assume that anything you can safely remove is yours to keep—like the light fixtures you painstakingly cleaned and repaired, or the appliances you bought last year. But the truth is, the buyer may want some of those items, too, and sometimes it's better to part ways with these items for the sake of the sale. Rather than keep everything, you should decide what you'd like to keep and what you'll leave behind as a way to entice buyers into making an offer, particularly in today's market where buyers are holding more of the cards than ever. What stays with the house? Generally, certain items stay with the house when you sell and move. Some features may seem obvious, but the truth is, you're probably expected to leave more behind than you think. Some of these items can include: Built-ins: Built-in bookshelves, benches, and pull-out furniture generally stay inside the home. Landscaping: Trees, shrubs, and any flowers planted in the ground should stay in the yard. Wall mounts: If you have TV wall mounts or picture mounts that might damage the wall if you remove them, it is a good idea to leave them in place when you move. Custom-fit items: If you have custom-made curtains , plantation shutters, or blinds, leave them on the windows and doors. Hardware : If you upgraded the knobs and drawer pulls in the bathrooms and kitchen, you should either leave those behind or install replacements before you move. Alarm systems : Wireless alarm systems are designed to be removed. Otherwise, leave the alarm monitoring station attached and either relocate or cancel the monitoring service. Smoke detectors : Smoke detectors and sprinkler systems should stay in the house, especially if you plan to move before selling the house. What can you take? While you’re expected to leave some items behind, in general your belongings are yours to keep. Here are some examples: Patio furniture, lawn equipment, and play sets : If you have a wooden swing set in the backyard and a bistro table on the front porch, take those items with you. Appliances : Some lenders require that a home have an oven installed before approving a loan, but for all other appliances, it's up to you to decide what you will take and what you will offer as part of the home. Some light fixtures : Generally, homeowners leave light fixtures behind, but if you’re attached to a certain fixture, you can make arrangements with the buyer to take it. Built-in kitchen tools : If you can safely remove a mounted spice rack or the pasta arm, you can take it with you. Rugs, basic curtains, wreaths : Small decor items like rugs or curtain rods that can be safely removed can be taken. What should you consider leaving? Some of your personal items can be used to help sell your house—or increase the asking price. Before you take everything just to take it, consider offering some hot items like the following: Appliances : Homeowners, especially new homeowners, don’t always have their own appliances. Many buyers would be more likely to place an offer on a home if it came fully stocked with appliances. Custom swing and play sets : If you have a swing set or playhouse your children have outgrown and you notice a potential buyer has children, offer to include the item with the deal. Kitchen built-ins : Built-in spice racks, pantry organization, and windowsill shelves can really help sell a kitchen. Consider offering the items to an interested buyer. Light fixtures, curtains, rugs, and other upgrades : If you’ve upgraded the light fixtures or have custom rugs in the entryway, a buyer may be willing to increase his or her offer to keep those items in the home.  If you’re not sure what would entice a buyer, ask your real estate agent to provide suggestions. Don't have an agent yet? Here's how to find a real estate agent in your area.

Top Mistakes Homeowners Are Making in 2026 (And How To Avoid Them)

By Dusty Rhodes • March 23, 2026
Let’s be clear: selling your house is absolutely possible right now. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), roughly 11k homes sell every day in this country. And the sellers who are making their moves happen all have one thing in common: they’ve adjusted their strategy to match today’s market. They’re realizing inventory has grown. Homebuyers are more selective. And buyer expectations are higher. The sellers who struggle are usually approaching today’s market with yesterday’s expectations. Here are the three biggest mistakes they’re making – and how to avoid them. 1. Pricing Based on What Their Neighbor Got a Few Years Back Setting your price is the most important decision you make when you sell – and the one that’s most often mishandled. Realtor.com data shows almost 1 out of 5 sellers in 2025 had to drop their price. Here’s what those sellers went wrong. Buyers have more choice and more negotiating power now that inventory has grown. And house hunters will actively avoid your house is if feels like it’s priced too high. That’s why overpricing usually leads to: Fewer showings Less competitive (or lowball) offers Longer time on market And all three of those side effects are things you don’t want to deal with. What To Do Instead: The good news is the cure is simple. Just price for today’s buyer, not yesterday’s headlines. Lean on your agent’s knowledge of recent comparable sales, current competition, and local buyer behavior to land in the value “sweet spot” that drives traffic and urgency from day one. 2. Trying To Skip Repairs That Buyers Now Expect A few years ago, you could sell as-is and still get well above asking. Today? Not so much. Right now, NAR says two-thirds of sellers are making at least some repairs. And the reason why is simple. In a market with more inventory, buyers compare homes side by side. Homes that don’t show well (or feel dated) are going to lose attention quickly, even if the issues are minor. What To Do Instead: Ask your agent which high-impact, low-stress updates they’d recommend for your house. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s helping buyers see themselves moving in without a mental to-do list. Small investments in staging, repairs, and curb appeal can make a huge difference in how quickly offers come in – and how strong those offers are. 3. Playing Hardball When Buyers Try To Negotiate Today’s buyers have housing affordability at the top of their minds. And since money is already tight, they’ll be pickier and will probably ask for some compromises from you. Whether that’s making repairs, giving them a credit at closing, or taking just a few thousand dollars off your asking price, negotiating is normal again. So, if something pops up in the inspection, you’re going to need to be open to talking about it. If you’re not, you may very well see your buyer walk away. And some sellers are figuring this out the hard way. Redfin data shows one of the big reasons home sales fell thru in 2025 was inspection or repair issues. Odds are those homeowners weren’t willing to flex a bit to get the deal done. What to Do Instead: Meet with your agent to make sure you understand what buyers in your area care the most about. Align your price with value, present the home clearly and confidently, and stay open to reasonable negotiations that keep deals moving forward.

10 Aging-in-Place Features Pros Swear By

By Dusty Rhodes • March 16, 2026
They’re often called aging-in-place features, but things like curbless showers, nonslip flooring and wide walkways and doorways can benefit everyone, no matter their age or ability. “Regardless of aging in place, there is a place for these in day-to-day life, whether it be a teenager on crutches, a family member having had surgery, active kids,” designer Dana Bass says. “It’s not just about aging in place. We’ve got to account for unplanned life emergencies.” Designer Tammy Battistessa of Ellaire Kitchen & Bath Design agrees. “Whenever possible, I include aging-in-place and universal design features in every project, as I believe many of these features benefit clients of all ages and abilities, in addition to allowing a client to safely remain in their home for a longer period of time,” she says. Creating a home that can adapt also makes it more sustainable. “Aging in place is a key element to making legacy homes that can evolve over time,” architect Tim Barber says. With all that in mind, we asked more than 50 home design and construction professionals to share the aging-in-place features they always recommend. Here are the 10 that came up again and again. 1. Wide Walkways and Doorways Planning ahead is one of the most important steps when incorporating aging-in-place features. Many of these elements require thoughtful design and construction, so it’s wise to start early — and to consider hiring professionals who understand the nuances. “Thinking through how you will really use the space makes all the difference,” designer Haiku Durden of HDS Design says. “Having a designer involved really makes a difference.” A professional can help you create a plan that works for your current needs and anticipates future ones. “We currently default to aging-in-place features when our clients are near retirement or retirement age,” says designer Jenny Guggenheim of Guggenheim Architecture and Design Studio . “Preplanning by adding blocking behind the wall finish, spacious floor planning to allow for wheelchair or walker use.” In fact, spacious layouts are among the most commonly recommended aging-in-place strategies. Wide walkways and doorways — and generous clearances around furniture and fixtures — make it easier for anyone to move through the home comfortably. Installing a continuous flooring material throughout also reduces tripping hazards caused by changes in height or texture between rooms.