We often wear rose-colored glasses when we're shopping for a new home. It's easy to fall in love with a house, but it's hard to know what it's actually like to live there without actually living there. Statistically, one in every four homeowner has buyer's remorse.
So, Realtor.com has created a list of 7 Things That Will Fill You with Buyer's Remorse (see full article here). We've summarized the list for you here and added a few of our own:
So, Realtor.com has created a list of 7 Things That Will Fill You with Buyer's Remorse (see full article here). We've summarized the list for you here and added a few of our own:
| 1. Don't go big, just go home "If you buy too big a home, you might end up regretting it when it comes time to cool, heat, and clean the place." 2. Don't get boxed in "You may want to expand one day, and not all homes are set up for that." 3. Don't let your stairs become an uphill battle “It can get old fast.” |  |
4. Get off the island... maybe
"If you’re bumping into the island, you may end up hating it."
"If you’re bumping into the island, you may end up hating it."
5. Pay attention to what's missing
"Often architects and remodelers will take something out to give a room a cleaner,more minimalist feel, and you may feel the loss after you move in."
6. Pools may not be so cool
"Pools are a big regret if the expenses cause a burden."
7. Don't fall for fads
"If you buy a house just for its trendy look, you may end up regretting it when the styles change, especially if you have to sell the outdated design."
8. Not looking to the future (realistically)
It's a good idea to consider life changes. Don't break the bank, because you never know whether the company you work for will pick up and move, forcing you to look for new work or rent out the property. Make sure that you're really thinking things through, especially if you find yourself using phrases like, "I can always move in five years" or "we can always expand later". You might be setting yourself up for disappointment down the road.
"Often architects and remodelers will take something out to give a room a cleaner,more minimalist feel, and you may feel the loss after you move in."
6. Pools may not be so cool
"Pools are a big regret if the expenses cause a burden."
7. Don't fall for fads
"If you buy a house just for its trendy look, you may end up regretting it when the styles change, especially if you have to sell the outdated design."
8. Not looking to the future (realistically)
It's a good idea to consider life changes. Don't break the bank, because you never know whether the company you work for will pick up and move, forcing you to look for new work or rent out the property. Make sure that you're really thinking things through, especially if you find yourself using phrases like, "I can always move in five years" or "we can always expand later". You might be setting yourself up for disappointment down the road.
 | 9. Making sacrifices that you'll really regret. You may find yourself justifying a long commute because you love the house or giving up walkability for a big yard. If that's the case, you should visit local coffee shops, maybe stay in the area over a weekend, and actually drive the commute. If you are frustrated by the difficulties you face, the sacrifices may breed regret. Alternatively, if you find that you truly enjoy the neighborhood and can get around easily enough, you may never look back. |
10. Foregoing the research
Don't rely solely on your real estate agent to tell you what's going on with your home, they may be great at what they do, but remember that nobody is going to be as invested as you are in the home buying process (literally). Did you thoroughly vet the neighborhood at all times of day? Have you actually researched nearby schools? Did you walk around and speak to locals? What is the crime rate? Make sure you know what you're getting yourself into.
Buying a home is a huge decision, and it can be a really rewarding experience. Just make sure you're putting serious thought into your home buying decisions.
Don't rely solely on your real estate agent to tell you what's going on with your home, they may be great at what they do, but remember that nobody is going to be as invested as you are in the home buying process (literally). Did you thoroughly vet the neighborhood at all times of day? Have you actually researched nearby schools? Did you walk around and speak to locals? What is the crime rate? Make sure you know what you're getting yourself into.
Buying a home is a huge decision, and it can be a really rewarding experience. Just make sure you're putting serious thought into your home buying decisions.
