Buying a home is a significant decision that often comes with a lot of excitement and anticipation. But sometimes, people experience feelings of regret right after closing the deal. This feeling is commonly known as 'home buyer's remorse'.

According to a recent survey conducted on around 1000 homeowners in the US, approximately 72% of them have some degree of buyer's remorse related to their home purchase. In this article, we'll discuss what causes a person to experience homebuyer's remorse and how you can avoid it.

What Does House Buyer's Remorse Mean?

Home buyer's remorse is a feeling of regret and anxiety after purchasing a home. It's like when you decided to dye your hair and immediately regretted it after seeing the result. But in real estate, the negative feeling is significantly greater because you've spent too much money and time to back out.

Most people don't really discuss their guilt and regrets, but buyer's remorse is a common issue that can affect anyone. And this often occurs after a major commitment, like buying a house or a car.

What Causes It? (The Most Common Reasons)

Home buyer's remorse occurs when you feel like you made the wrong decision, and there are several reasons why you might feel that way.

According to the survey conducted in 2022, 1 in 3 homebuyers said that they spent too much money on their home purchase. In addition, 26% of them said that they rushed the homebuying process. But why do these people think that way?

One of the most common reasons people regret their purchase is because they feel pressured to make an offer. A good house listing can tempt you to make an offer that is over the asking price, especially when there's tight competition.

Another common cause of home buyer's remorse is comparing your choice to other properties. Even after having a fair deal, people feel a bit of regret when they see better properties. This often occurs when they make a quick decision without fully considering all their options.

How to Avoid Buyer's Remorse When Buying a Home

Fortunately, there are ways to avoid home buyer's remorse. One is to take your time during the home buying process. Don't rush into a decision, and consider all your options before making an offer. This can help you be more confident in your decision and reduce the risk of regret later on.

Another strategy is to do your research. Sometimes, the expenses only hit you at the closing when other fees like property taxes and mortgage payments are shown. To avoid this, ask the seller about all the hidden fees before making an offer. Also, it's better to investigate the house thoroughly to check whether you'll spend too much money on maintenance and repair.

Be realistic about what you can afford. Don't overstretch yourself financially, even if you really like the features of the property. Overspending can lead to more stress and anxiety in the future.

Conclusion

Buying a home shouldn't be decided overnight. If you rush into it, you'll most likely regret your choice. So take your time and don't let the pressure overtake your homebuying decisions. If you want, you can work with a trusted real estate agent who can guide you through the process and help you be more confident in looking for the right home.

Read more articles below:

• Things You Should Do if You Want to Buy a Home in 2023
• What's the Most Stressful Part About Buying a House?
• How to Find Out the History of a House Before Buying