The Biggest Regret First-Time Buyers Report — And How to Avoid It

by Rick Cavallaro

The Biggest Regret First-Time Buyers Report — And How to Avoid It

Rhino Realty Pros doesn't sugarcoat this one: a lot of first-time buyers end up with regrets, and the data backs that up. Rick Cavallaro would rather a client hear the uncomfortable numbers now than discover them the hard way after closing. The good news is that the single biggest regret buyers report isn't about the house they chose — it's about a step that's entirely avoidable if you know to plan for it.

The Numbers Are Sobering

66% Of recent buyers report some regret about their purchase

22% Cite underestimating repair costs as their top regret

3x More likely to regret the purchase if the decision felt rushed

A 2026 survey by Clever Real Estate and Best Interest Financial found that two out of three recent home buyers have regrets about their purchase, with 44% saying they followed their heart more than their head and 76% admitting they overlooked or downplayed red flags during the process. A separate national survey of over 1,000 homeowners found the single most commonly cited regret was underestimating repair costs, at 22%, followed by choosing the wrong home size (19%) and feeling they'd rushed the decision (15%).

The Root Cause: It's Not the House, It's the Rush

The Pressure Problem

38% of first-time buyers report feeling pressured to make a decision quickly — and buyers who felt rushed were nearly three times more likely to end up regretting their purchase.

This is the pattern worth paying attention to: rushing doesn't just cause buyers to pick the wrong house — it causes them to skip the financial planning that would have prepared them for what came after closing. Roughly 28% of recent buyers say their home requires more upkeep than they expected, and buyers who waived inspections during competitive bidding wars often inherit deferred maintenance they never priced into their budget in the first place. The regret isn't really about repairs — it's about being financially blindsided by something a slower, more deliberate process would have surfaced ahead of time.

Who's Most Affected

The data shows this isn't evenly distributed. Buyers earning less than $50,000 annually were 50% more likely to experience regret than those earning over $100,000, and buyers who purchased within the last two years reported regret at a higher rate (44%) than the overall average — likely reflecting how recent, tighter budgets and a more competitive market have left less room for error. Younger buyers felt it most acutely too, with 35% of Gen Z and millennial first-time buyers reporting remorse, compared to lower rates among older buyers.

First-Time Buyer Regret — Quick Reference:
Overall regret rate: 66% of recent buyers report some regret.
Top specific regret: Underestimating repair costs (22%).
Biggest risk factor: Feeling rushed — 3x more likely to lead to regret.
Most affected: Buyers earning under $50K/year and buyers under 40.
Common trigger: Waiving inspections in competitive bidding situations.

Sources: Clever Real Estate & Best Interest Financial, "The Stress of Buying a Home in 2026"; Guardian Service, "First-Time Homebuyer Regrets & Lessons" survey; LRG Realty, "Common Reasons for Buyer's Remorse" (2026 data).

How to Actually Avoid It

1. Budget for Maintenance Before You Close, Not After

Plan on setting aside 1-2% of the home's value annually for maintenance and repairs — before you're under contract, not as a surprise line item in year one.

2. Don't Skip the Inspection to Win a Bidding War

A standard inspection typically costs a few hundred dollars and can shield you from thousands in surprise repair costs. Waiving it to compete on price is exactly the decision that shows up most often in regret surveys.

3. Give Yourself Time, Even in a Competitive Market

Buyers who felt rushed were three times more likely to regret their purchase. If a deal only works because you skipped due diligence, it's worth asking whether it's the right deal at all.

None of this is about talking yourself out of buying — it's about making sure the excitement of getting an offer accepted doesn't crowd out the boring-but-critical parts of the process. The buyers who report the least regret aren't the ones who found a "perfect" house; they're the ones who went in with a realistic budget for what happens after the keys are handed over.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the most common regret among first-time home buyers?

Underestimating repair costs is the most frequently cited specific regret, reported by 22% of surveyed first-time buyers, followed by choosing the wrong home size and feeling they rushed the decision.

How many first-time buyers actually regret their purchase?

A 2026 survey found that 66% of recent home buyers report some form of regret about their purchase, though the severity and specific cause varies widely.

Does rushing the home-buying process actually lead to more regret?

Yes. Buyers who reported feeling pressured to decide quickly were nearly three times more likely to regret their purchase than those who didn't feel rushed.

How much should I budget for home maintenance as a new buyer?

A common guideline is to budget 1-2% of the home's value annually for maintenance and repairs, planned for before closing rather than discovered as a surprise after moving in.