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How To Regret-Proof Your Home Purchase - NerdWallet
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Published in House and Home on Tuesday, August 26th 2025 at 12:16 GMT by NerdWallet🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Homebuyers’ Regret Hits 1 in 5 – A Closer Look at the Numbers and What to Do About It
When most people think of the house‑buying journey, they picture excitement, fresh paint, and the satisfaction of finally owning a place of their own. Yet a new NerdWallet survey has revealed that one in five recent home buyers are haunted by regret. The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 homeowners who purchased a house in the last two years, found that 20 % of respondents expressed some degree of remorse over their purchase decision. The reasons range from “I shouldn’t have moved so far from work” to “I didn’t get the right mortgage rate.” For anyone on the fence about buying—or anyone who just finished the process—understanding why people regret their choices can be a lifesaver.
How the Survey Was Conducted
NerdWallet’s research team partnered with a national market‑research firm to poll a diverse cross‑section of homeowners across the United States. Respondents were aged 25‑54 and had bought a single‑family home, condo, or townhouse between 2022 and 2023. The questionnaire covered a broad array of topics, including financial preparedness, neighborhood satisfaction, mortgage terms, and overall emotional fulfillment.
The survey’s methodology is important because it tells us that the findings aren’t just anecdotal. The sample was intentionally weighted to reflect the U.S. housing‑buyer demographic, and respondents were asked to rank their regret on a 5‑point Likert scale—from “No regret at all” to “Regret all the way.” Roughly 18 % indicated “moderate regret,” and 2 % reported “severe regret.”
The Five Biggest Regrets
While there were many nuances to the data, five themes emerged as the most common sources of buyer remorse.
| Regret Category | Percentage of Regretful Buyers | Key Insight |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Location | 45 % | Buyers said they would have chosen a different neighborhood if they could go back. |
| 2. Pricing | 38 % | Many buyers felt they overpaid or that the market was “hot” and inflated prices. |
| 3. Future Flexibility | 30 % | 20 % wanted more space for family growth or a home office. |
| 4. Mortgage Terms | 26 % | 12 % wished they’d negotiated a better rate or fixed‑rate option. |
| 5. Professional Advice | 22 % | 15 % regret not hiring a more seasoned real‑estate agent or a financial advisor. |
These numbers highlight that the biggest driver of regret is not the house itself but the broader context in which the purchase was made. A house that seems perfect in the moment can become a source of tension if it doesn’t align with long‑term lifestyle goals, budget constraints, or changing market conditions.
Why Location Matters
Location is the single most cited regret, and the reasons are understandable. The survey found that 63 % of buyers who regretted their neighborhood cited commute times as the main issue. When asked about amenities, 47 % lamented that the area lacked parks, grocery stores, or good schools. Even though many of these buyers chose their neighborhoods based on “low crime” and “good resale value,” a handful realized that those metrics didn’t translate into day‑to‑day convenience.
NerdWallet’s own real‑estate guide—The Ultimate Home‑Buying Checklist—offers a section on “Evaluating Neighborhood Fit.” It encourages buyers to test drive a neighborhood by spending a full week there, walking to grocery stores, and speaking with local residents. The guide also highlights the importance of long‑term community developments, such as upcoming transit projects or planned school expansions, that could affect future resale value.
Pricing Pressure
The housing market of 2022‑2023 was hot, and buyers were often caught in bidding wars. The survey’s respondents reported that 29 % felt they paid too much for the house, while an additional 9 % believed they missed out on a better deal elsewhere. Many of these regretful buyers didn’t have a pre‑approval that gave them a firm budget, and consequently they allowed themselves to be drawn into competitive offers.
A key takeaway from the survey is that a solid pre‑approval can be a lifesaver. By securing a loan commitment before shopping, buyers can “price‑freeze” their offers and avoid getting swept up in inflated bidding. NerdWallet’s Mortgage Calculator and Rate Comparison Tool can help prospective buyers estimate monthly payments, closing costs, and overall affordability, giving them a realistic framework for negotiation.
Flexibility: Space for the Future
Nearly one‑third of buyers regretted the lack of future flexibility in their homes. This includes buyers who expected to start a family or work from home and found their new home cramped or ill‑suited. The same respondents also reported that a more robust interior design plan—e.g., a dedicated home office or extra bedroom—could have mitigated that regret.
The NerdWallet home‑buyer guide suggests that buyers think beyond the present. Questions such as “Will this house accommodate my future family size?” or “Can I add a room or remodel the kitchen if needed?” should be part of the due‑diligence checklist. In addition, buyers might consider looking at homes with potential for expansion, like those with unfinished basements or attached garages that could be converted.
Mortgage Missteps
Regret around mortgage terms is not uncommon. In the survey, 15 % of buyers wished they’d locked in a fixed‑rate loan instead of a variable rate, while 11 % wished they had negotiated a lower interest rate. A common theme was that buyers didn’t fully understand the fine print of their mortgage documents or were influenced by “low‑APR” promotions that didn’t account for long‑term costs.
NerdWallet’s Mortgage Guide—which includes a detailed glossary of terms, a comparison of fixed vs. variable rates, and a cost‑vs‑benefit calculator—could help buyers avoid these pitfalls. Moreover, the guide advises buyers to get multiple rate quotes and to ask lenders about the possibility of rate‑lock options. Many lenders also offer “first‑time‑buyer” programs that reduce interest rates or closing costs, and those should be explored.
The Role of Professional Advice
Only 15 % of regretful buyers said they regretted not hiring a seasoned real‑estate agent. Those who did had a higher confidence level in their final decision, and they often noted that an experienced agent could have helped them spot potential red flags or negotiate a better price. Some buyers also regretted not hiring a financial advisor or a home‑inspection expert.
NerdWallet’s own Real Estate Agent Finder tool can connect prospective buyers with agents who specialize in particular neighborhoods or property types. Additionally, the guide recommends hiring a licensed home inspector for a comprehensive assessment that includes structural integrity, roofing, and potential pest issues. These upfront investments often save buyers from costly surprises later.
Turning Regret into a Roadmap
The good news is that regret doesn’t have to be a permanent scar. By studying the common reasons behind buyer remorse, you can take concrete steps to mitigate the risk in your own purchase.
- Do a “Neighborhood Test Drive.” Spend time in the area you’re considering, visit local amenities, and talk to residents.
- Secure a Pre‑Approval. Get a clear budget and a firm rate before you start bidding.
- Plan for the Future. Think about how the house will fit your evolving lifestyle, not just your current one.
- Ask the Right Questions About Your Mortgage. Understand the total cost, the length of rate lock, and whether a fixed or variable rate is best for you.
- Hire Experts. An experienced agent and a qualified inspector can save you from costly mistakes.
NerdWallet’s wealth of resources—including the Mortgage Calculator, the Home‑Buying Guide, and the Neighborhood Search Tool—are all designed to equip buyers with the knowledge they need to make confident, regret‑free decisions. The next time you’re in the market, take a page out of the regretful buyers’ playbook and avoid the pitfalls that left them wishing they could turn back the clock.
Read the Full NerdWallet Article at:
[ https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/survey-home-buyer-regret ]
