For many Americans, buying a home is a dream that they have successfully realized. However, for some homeowners, that dream can turn into a nightmare. According to a June 2025 BW survey conducted online by The Harris Poll, 22% of homeowners regret buying their current home, with 8% strongly regretting the purchase.
To avoid experiencing buyer’s remorse, here are some ways to make sure you don’t regret your home purchase:
Be selective about the location
Where you choose to buy a home can greatly impact your overall satisfaction with the property. Consider factors like busy streets, noise levels, neighborhood upkeep, and nearby amenities before making a decision.
Visit the property multiple times at different times of the day to get a better sense of the neighborhood and potential issues you may encounter on a daily basis.
Invest in a home inspection
Never skip a pre-purchase home inspection, as it can uncover potential issues that may not be immediately visible. A thorough inspection can save you from costly surprises down the line.
Use the inspection findings to negotiate with the seller and factor in any additional costs into your budget before committing to the purchase.
Buy within your means and consider all expenses
Avoid overextending yourself financially by purchasing a home that is within your budget. Consider not only the mortgage payment but also other homeownership costs like property taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
Plan for unexpected expenses and ongoing maintenance to ensure you can comfortably afford your home in the long run.
Be realistic about renovations and repairs
Get written estimates for any planned renovations or necessary repairs before committing to them. Factor in the costs and time required for these projects to avoid any financial surprises.
Budget for ongoing maintenance and repairs, as well as a “house fund” to cover unexpected expenses that may arise over time.
Understand the regulations and guidelines
Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations that govern your property, including city or county regulations and any homeowners association rules. Ensure you comply with all requirements to avoid any potential issues in the future.
When neighborhood rules benefit your neighbors, it’s a good thing. But when they start hindering you, that’s a different story.
These rules cover things like whether you can build an addition to your home, have an accessory dwelling unit, parking restrictions, noise ordinances, and even regulations on the color of your house or the number of pets you can have. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the rules of your Homeowners Association (HOA), historic district, or neighborhood council. Check with the local building department for zoning maps and inquire about any unique regulations in the area.
It’s also crucial to know what is allowed in addition to what is restricted. Investigate the zoning of neighboring properties as well, as that beautiful wooded area across the street could potentially be developed into a commercial space.
Taking everyone’s opinions into consideration is vital when choosing a home. It’s not just about what you want – it’s about ensuring that all household members are content. Whether it’s a partner, aging parents, adult children, or long-term roommates, it’s important to avoid a “my way or the highway” mentality. Everyone’s happiness matters, as living with unhappy housemates can lead to personal dissatisfaction.
Methodology:
This survey was carried out online in the United States by The Harris Poll for BW from June 2 – 4, 2025, involving 2,090 adults aged 18 and above, with 1,382 being homeowners. The precision of Harris online polls is determined using a Bayesian credible interval, with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. For detailed survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact [email protected].
BW explicitly disclaims all warranties, including merchantability and fitness for a specific purpose, regarding the accuracy, reliability, or error-free nature of the information in this article. Use this information at your own risk, as its completeness and accuracy are not guaranteed. The content should not be considered indicative of BW’s future performance or that of its affiliates. Forward-looking statements in this article may involve risks and uncertainties, differing from BW’s actual operational and financial results. original statement:
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Revised statement:
The agile brown fox leaps over the sluggish dog.