Common Causes of Buyer's Remorse When Purchasing a House

Sally Norton

Guest Blogger

When buying a house, most people get so caught up in their must-haves that they overlook some of its flaws. Or, they focus on their current needs so much that they forget about things that can happen in the future. For instance, you may buy your dream home, a home that fulfills all of your needs and wants. However, after some time, you will realize that you are getting older and that you can't walk upstairs to your master bedroom. This is just an example of what we call buyer's remorse. But, the truth is, many more things can happen that will make you regret your choice of home. We will share those things with you, and, hopefully, you can learn from other people's mistakes and buy a home that will evoke only feelings of content. So, without further ado, here are some common causes of buyer's remorse when purchasing a house.

A House that is too Small

​ One of the most common causes of buyer's remorse when purchasing a house is buying a place that is just too small. This usually happens when people see a house that looks like their dream home or a home that fits all of their needs, but they neglect the square footage. And, once they start to have people over, once their children begin to grow, or once they get an indoor hobby, for example, they realize they had made a terrible mistake.
 
Thus, think about how much square footage you need before buying a house. Before signing any contract, think about your future (and your children's future). Moreover, it is always better to go a bit bigger. You never know what the future holds! So, if possible, look for homes that have an extra room, larger kitchens and living rooms, a basement, a garage, etc.

Always try to envision your future self in the home you are buying.

A House in the Wrong Location

​How many times have you heard that some couple love their house, but that they are always losing time going back and forth to it? A lot of times, probably. You heard it many times because this is another one of those common causes of buyer's remorse when buying a house. People see a home they have always wanted and buy it without even thinking about its location. And, they end up with a home in the middle of nowhere - where there are no shops, no grocery stores, no banks, no clinics, etc. Or, they end up somewhere where going to (and from) work and taking children to school can last for hours.
 
Living in a house that makes your life difficult is not worth it. The only smart thing you can do in this situation is to sell your home, call professional movers such as those from Zippy Shell Columbus and move to some house that is the right location. If the site is perfect, so will your house.

A House that is too Old ​

Maybe you have found a house that is in the right location, and maybe you have decided on the best house size, but you had to compromise and buy a house that is too old. The house's years are not a problem. The problem here is that old houses usually come with many problems and issues - problems and issues that require a lot of work. And, when we say work, we don't mean repaint and change the furniture. We mean problems with the foundation, roof, electricity, plumbing, etc.
If you decide to buy an older house, be sure to have it inspected. A professional home inspector will evaluate the state of your house and tell you what needs to be fixed. And, of course, be sure to fix all of that before you move in! Look on the bright side with this one - the more you change the look of the house, and the more you make it your own, the easier it will be to stop feeling homesick! Believe it or not, the best way to deal with these feelings and stop feeling homesick after moving is by working on a project that will make a strange home your own.

Think twice before buying a house that is too old!

A House in the Wrong Environment ​

​Environment and location are two different things! With location, you regret how far away you are from certain things you need to reach daily. On the other hand, the environment is when you regret the house's surroundings. That may be the yard's condition or the nosiness of your first neighbors. So, don't focus on things to buy for your new house; instead, focus on the environment you are buying.
 
The wrong environment is one of those most common causes of buyer's remorse when buying a house! Thus, don't neglect it. Again, think about your future. Think about whether you need more privacy, for example. Talk to your potential neighbors. Spend some time with them before buying a house and see whether those are the people you want to live next to.
 
Moreover, take a look at the yard. Do you need more acreage? Do you need to take care of it? Ask yourself these questions, and be sure to have an answer before you buy a house.

Explore your neighborhood before you decide to move in.

A House with the Wrong Character ​

One of the last but not the least common causes of buyer's remorse when buying a house is buying a house with the wrong character. That is, buying a house whose personality doesn't match yours. Yes, that too is possible. For instance, if you are a member of a big family, you can't buy a house that doesn't have a big kitchen. That kitchen is where you and your family will make some of the best memories.
You can always change the little things on the house - things such as wall colors, furniture, windows, etc. But, you cannot change its character, that is, shape and look. So, think about that too! Think about everything we mentioned above, as those are all the common causes of buyer's remorse when purchasing a house.