How to avoid home buyer’s remorse

Knowing how to avoid home buyer’s remorse can help buyers avoid additional concerns after having made their purchase.

Sometimes emotional stress can make us feel bad after making a big purchase and few are bigger than a home. Therefore, we have put together this guide to help you. 

In the same way, you also have the support of our NJ real estate attorney at Curbelo Law, expert in many real estate matters. Call us today so we can assist you with your real estate process.

How To Avoid home buyer’s remorse In 2024

Here are some tips to avoid home buyer’s remorse:

1# Make A List With The Wishes And Needs Of The Home

Buying a house is not an easy task, since it requires a balance between needs and financial limits. Because of this, it is essential to create a list with the “wants” and “needs” that you have. 

• “Wants” and “needs” are two different terms and knowing the difference between the two will save you a lot of headaches. 
• While it would be amazing to buy a home that has everything you’re looking for, it’s almost always impossible. 
• Sitting down and making a list that prioritizes your family’s needs will help you get a home that meets most of your needs.

Of course, it’s also a good idea to invest in a “big wish” for the future. For example, considering buying a home that has an unfinished basement and can later be converted into a media room. 

Common Needs

Some of the most common needs that homebuyers have are:

• Number of spaces in the garage.
• Number of rooms.
• Specific style of housing. For example, ranch, colonial and others.
• Minimum number of square feet.
• Number of bathrooms.

Common Desires

Among the most common wishes that home buyers usually have, are:

• New windows.
• Updated bathrooms.
• Fully fenced yard.
• Updated kitchen.
• Low level.

2# Create A Realistic Budget

To put an end to the feeling of out-of-control finances, create a budget that covers all major household expenses. 

• In general, renters who are not sure they have the means to purchase a property, the best thing to do is to consult with a lender. This will allow them to determine their credit worthiness. 
• Buying a home often comes with hidden costs, including property taxes, utility bills, homeowners insurance and so on. 
• Collecting all the necessary information regarding the costs and expenses of a house is essential to know the financial impact beyond the monthly payment of a mortgage. 

Keeping all of this in mind can help avoid home buyer’s remorse.

3# Have An Experienced Real Estate Agent

Choosing a good real estate agent can help make the home buying process much easier, especially if you are entering uncharted territory. 

In the Garden State, real estate agents understand the different types of houses in New Jersey. Therefore, they will help you locate the best properties that suit your budget and needs.

4# Ask A Real Estate Professional

Make sure you don’t bid too high or too low on a home. For example, if you make a very high offer, you’ll probably buy the house faster, but you may end up paying more than market value.

On the other hand, offering too little can make the seller refuse to sell the home. In any case, when in doubt, it is always best to ask a real estate professional who knows the market. 

5# Examine Closing Costs

Closing costs in NJ often take home buyers by surprise, as they can be 3% to 6% of the purchase price. 

However, negotiating or asking the seller to bear certain costs may lower your closing costs.

6# Know The Available Options

Property buyers must take into account the market surrounding the house they want to buy. For example:

• If there is a better house in the neighborhoods near the house they want to buy. They may be able to find other top locations or just newer houses.
• Also, knowing the area of ​​the house rather than the house itself can help ensure that you are making the best decision possible.

7# Get To Know The Neighborhood

It is advisable to know the neighborhood that surrounds your desired house if you want a quiet home life. To do this, it is essential that you examine crime rates, access to parks, schools and so on.

Similarly, some home buyers prefer to live in places away from noise, such as bars or nightclubs. 

8# Stop searching for New Houses

Starting a new home search on the Internet and exploring everything new on the market listings can be tempting. 

However, you may not be in the best possible position to consider buying a new home, even if mortgage rates are low.

9# Investigate The History Of The House

It is essential to take into account the history of the house to buy. Therefore, it is advisable to ask yourself the following questions:

• How long has the house been for sale?
• Was it listed for sale more than once?
• Has it been under contract and failed? If so, what were the reasons for this?

Similarly, it is important that at the beginning of the evaluation of the home it is evaluated by an independent appraiser. This allows to provide a good starting point for a possible negotiation in case it is decided to go ahead with the offer.

10# Reduce Your Expectations

If you can’t find something you can afford and don’t want to compromise your financial security, it’s a good idea to consider looking at smaller homes. It’s also a good idea to switch from a single-family home to a townhouse.

Similarly, you may want to consider financing home improvements with a mortgage that includes renovation costs in a 30-year loan.

For more information regarding loans, read our article focused on the different types of mortgage loans in the US.

In addition, you can also learn a little more about townhouses and single-family homes in our post on townhouses vs single-family homes.

11# Do Not Forget To Protect Your New Home

Although settling into a new home can be time consuming, it’s important to make sure you’re protected with good homeowners insurance.

Having insurance on your new home gives you the peace of mind that you’re prepared for the unexpected. For example, in New Jersey, flood insurance is highly recommended, as the state is not exempt from flooding.

You might also be interested in checking what your home needs to keep it safe from possible fires. We recommend that you read our article on the NJ smoke certificate requirements and why you need one.

Is It Normal To Feel home buyer’s remorse After Buying A House?

Buyer’s remorse is a fairly common feeling and can affect home buyers as well as any other buyer. This feeling occurs when a high-cost purchase is made.

• Usually, the house is probably the biggest purchase you’ll ever make, so it’s natural to question whether you made the right decision.
• According to a national survey conducted by Bankrate in 2021, 64% of buyers between the ages of 23 and 38 regret buying a home.
• On the other hand, the same survey revealed that homebuyers between the ages of 55 and 73 have a 35% chance of regret.

In addition to this, Zillow claims that most individuals suffer from regret due to the high cost of home maintenance.

In short, regret after buying a home is normal and can be felt by any individual.

What Does Home Buyers’ Remorse Feel Like?

Buyer’s remorse is any negative emotional response to purchasing a home. This emotion may be fear about the money you just spent or anxiety about whether the right decision was made.

What Causes Buyer’s Remorse?

Buyer’s remorse is usually caused because the purchase did not meet expectations. This can also happen because the purchase was too expensive or it ended up not being used or needed anymore.

Common Causes Of Home buyer’s Remorse

There are a few reasons homebuyers may experience remorse when buying a property. Among these are the following:

• They bought in the wrong neighborhood. As neighborhoods change, home values ​​can go up or down. Although it is difficult to decide which way to go, it is always a good idea to have a real estate expert close.
• They spent too much money. High costs like closing costs, home inspections, or property repairs can induce remorse.
• Insufficient size. Worrying that the house is not big enough for the family can be a common problem for buyers. This can lead to remorse after buying that house.
• Fear of having bought the wrong house. Some buyers fear that they have not chosen the right house. This is because they think they would have chosen a better house if they had waited longer.

Can Buyers Cancel Their Offer?

Initially, yes, buyers can cancel their offer. However, you should keep in mind that when you sign a real estate purchase agreement, you are legally bound to abide by all the terms of the contract.

This term allows the seller to receive an advance deposit called a “security deposit.” This deposit shows the seller that the buyer is serious about buying the home.

What Can I Do About Home buyer’s Remorse?

If you’ve already bought a home and are now experiencing home buyer’s remorse, it doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice. Here are some ways to handle it and feel comfortable in your new home:

1# Make Your Home Yours

The changes can be overwhelming. When an individual moves to a new home, they are actually moving into someone else’s home. Therefore, in this place they have painted the walls, they have already chosen the lamps, the rugs and other important elements.

Take the time to make your new home feel like your own. You don’t need to completely redecorate the place, but you do need to hang new pictures on the walls, add some appliances, or invest in some home entertainment.

2# Let Out All The Frustrations

If you feel like you’ve made the wrong decision, the best thing to do is let it out. Admitting that a mistake has been made can go a long way. However, remember that this is not the end of your story.

3# Reassess Your Finances

In general, in the long run, the payments are reduced. This can help it survive for about 5 years in its new home. This is how long it typically takes for a home to appreciate enough to cover initial closing costs when resold. 

4 # Remember What Made You Want To Buy The House

Sometimes, remembering what made you want to buy that house can help you manage buyer’s remorse. For example, an office, a closed patio, a nice house and so on.

Spending time in the ideal space in your new home can help make you happier with your purchase. 

Real Estate Experts At Your Service

It is important to consider getting a real estate expert to help you find the right home for you and your family. A real estate expert is like a doctor in that they will examine the market and give you the best result possible.

• At Curbelo Law, we understand the needs homebuyers have and work hard to help them avoid regrets and save money.
• While experiencing remorse after buying a home can feel like the end of the world, it’s not. So there are things you can do to deal with such remorse as we have seen.
• Our attorney Carolina T. Curbelo specializes in real estate and has more than 10 years of experience in this area in New Jersey.

If you’re having trouble choosing a home, don’t worry. Call us or send us an E-mail so that we can help you. The same way; if you prefer, you can also make an appointment with our office in Ridgewood, New Jersey.