9 Biggest Homebuyer Regrets To Avoid in 2025

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Buyer’s remorse is always painful, but it’s truly devastating when it’s for a large purchase that you can’t simply return — like a house. Unfortunately, some homebuyers end up regretting their decisions, especially if they rush into making an offer in a hot, albeit volatile, housing market.

The supply and demand for homebuyers and sellers is already getting a makeover in many regions across the U.S. in 2025. If you want to avoid buyer’s remorse in your next home search, make sure to factor in all your short-term and long-term physical, functional and financial needs.

Here are several examples of big regrets people have had when buying a home. 

Spending Too Much

Many people feel they have spent too much on their homes, especially when you factor in closing costs for home inspections and real estate agents and then add in high interest rates and property taxes.

To avoid this, Ken Sisson, Realtor and associate broker with Coldwell Banker, said to go into the buying situation knowing your price limit, and walk away if you would have to bid more than that.

“Know your number upfront and stick to it,” he said. “Your number isn’t necessarily the final sticker price, but what the monthly payment and the down payment are going to be. Don’t get caught up in a frenzy.

“Winning a bid on a house that was bid up well over the list price frequently leads to immediate buyer’s remorse,” he said. “If your highest and best was at or below your walk-away number, you’re less likely to have this dreaded feeling.”

Buying Too Quickly

Whether it’s fear of losing a prime piece of real estate or just getting over-excited, many recent homebuyers may regret buying their home too quickly.

“It’s important to take your time when making such a big decision and to be sure you’re comfortable with the property before moving forward,” said Shaun Martin, owner and CEO of Watson Buys. “Buying too quickly can lead to buyer’s remorse and could result in you paying more than you should have.”

Buying a Home That Requires Too Much Maintenance

A sprawling lawn or a backyard pool can seem appealing when you buy, but it may end up ultimately being a pain. 

“Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibility,” said Rinal Patel, licensed Realtor and co-founder of We Buy Philly Home. “You have to maintain the property, pay for repairs, keep up with the landscaping and more.

“A lot of first-time homeowners are not prepared for this and end up feeling overwhelmed by the many costs that come with homeownership. Instead of enjoying their new home, they’re constantly worrying about the money they have to spend on upkeep.”

To avoid this regret, Patel said to financially prepare to cover maintenance costs before making a home purchase.

“Start saving up before you buy a home,” she said. “Have an emergency fund that you can tap into for unexpected repairs, and be realistic about the amount of time and money you’re willing to spend on maintenance. If you’re not handy or you don’t have the time to do things yourself, budget for professional help as well.”

Buying a Fixer-Upper

With soaring home prices, a fixer-upper may have more appeal thanks to its affordable price point — but buying a home that requires a lot of work to get move-in ready can lead to regret. 

“While these homes can be a great value, they often come with a hefty price tag in terms of time and money,” said Boyd Rudy, a team leader with Keller Williams Living. “My advice to buyers is to take their time, do their homework and be sure to fully inspect any property before making an offer.”

Feeling Pressured To Make an Offer

Over the past couple of years, homes have been selling within just days of being listed, so it’s no wonder prospective buyers have felt the pressure to make offers quickly. 

“In this market, buyers feel that they need to rush to submit an offer due to a lack of inventory, increasing rates and competition,” said Maria Macias, a real estate agent with Compass Florida. “Some have regretted not taking the time to find the home they absolutely love.”

Macias said to trust your gut and to never feel pressure to make an offer on a home that doesn’t feel like the right fit for you.

“I tell my buyers that once they walk into the right house, they will automatically know that it’s ‘the one,'” she said.

Buying Sight-Unseen

Some buyers have bought homes sight-unseen either because they were buying out-of-state or simply as a time-saving measure. 

“It definitely seems like a bad idea for anyone who has ever shopped for a home before — there can be huge discrepancies between what you see in a photo and what a home looks like in person,” said Francesca Ortegren, Ph.D., head of product with Clever Real Estate.

“At best, people who buy after having seen only photos might be disappointed in the size, layout, color or feel of a home. At worst, there could be huge issues with the home that weren’t obvious through photos.”

To avoid this regret, Ortegren recommends having someone you trust tour the home in person if you are unable to go yourself.

Not Liking the Location

The location where you purchase your home may seem great on paper, but you might realize it doesn’t meet your needs and wants once you’re living there. 

Richard Mews, CEO of Sell With Richard, said this often happens when buyers get distracted by the look of the home.

“Aesthetics occasionally divert buyers’ attention and make them ignore more crucial concerns, such as an uncomfortable-sized kitchen or the location of the home,” he said.

“I would advise buyers to focus on the characteristics of the house that can not be changed, such as the views, size and location. Buyers can always change the aesthetics of their homes with the help of a skilled contractor.”

Not Liking the Neighbors

You often don’t meet the neighbors until you actually move in, which means you may get stuck next to someone noisy, messy, rude or just not your cup of tea.

“Often, when we find a house we love, we see it for all its good traits,” said Lauren Byington, a licensed real estate agent and co-founder of WarrenandLauren.com. “Sometimes, those good traits are all we need to see — everything else is secondary.”

She continued, “But what about the house that seemingly ‘has it all,’ yet has neighbors you don’t bode well with? They might be at work or otherwise gone when you tour your dream home, but, come the weekend, blast their music into the night. Or what about neighbors who fail to honor your privacy? There are endless scenarios wherein you might regret a home purchase after learning more about the neighbors.”

To avoid this scenario, Byington recommends visiting the home at various times on numerous days.

“Be sure you grasp not only what your house would have to offer, but also how the surrounding neighbors might affect your experience,” she said.

Not Liking the Home

“The most common reason for regret that I’ve seen among my clients is not getting the right home for their needs, whether it’s not enough space, not being in the right location or having too many bedrooms and bathrooms,” said Martin.

“If you’re currently looking to buy a home and are worried about whether your purchase will make you happy in the long run, figure out exactly what you need in a house before you start looking at properties,” he said.

Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

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