Homebuyer regret plummets as market conditions offer more ‘breathing room’

Data from Realtor.com’s 2025 Consumer Attitudes & Usage Study shows that regret among recent homebuyers has fallen sharply — with higher mortgage rates and longer listing times giving shoppers more reasons to evaluate their options.

One of the biggest shifts is that the share of 2025 buyers who felt they overpaid was cut nearly in half, dropping to 8% compared to 15% in 2023.

With homes lingering on the market for a median of 63 days in October 2025 — almost two weeks longer than the same month in 2023 — buyers are entering transactions with more caution, clarity and financial preparation.

As a result, 37% of 2025 buyers reported having no regrets at all, up from 31% two years earlier.

“As the market has shifted from a fast-paced sellers’ market to one that gives buyers more breathing room, we’re seeing buyer regret trend down,” said Laura Eddy, Realtor.com’s vice president of research and insights.

“Today’s buyers are generally more qualified, taking extra time to weigh their options and make confident decisions — factors that are helping reduce second-guessing after purchase. And for many, that means having even more to feel thankful for this season.”

Still, not all purchases were free of friction.

Among the buyers who had second thoughts, the most common pain points remained tied to the realities of homeownership: unexpected maintenance needs (16%), higher-than-anticipated household expenses (15%) and depleted savings after closing (14%).

A generational gap also emerged, illustrating how experience shapes confidence:

• Baby boomers were the least likely to express regret, with 60% saying their purchase felt right — and only minor issues cropping up.
• Generation X followed closely, with 45% reporting no regrets.
• About one-third (34%) of millennials had no regrets, and they frequently cited wiped-out savings, surprise maintenance costs and budget strains.
• Gen Z buyers struggled most as only 27% reported a regret-free purchase, and many pointed to skipped inspections, higher costs, and lifestyle mismatches such as commute and neighborhood dissatisfaction.

Younger respondents were also more likely to be caught off guard by location compromises — showing how affordability pressures can push first-time buyers farther from preferred areas.

With their pace slowing and expectations recalibrated, many appear better equipped for long-term satisfaction.

“Buyers today are entering the market with clearer expectations and stronger financial footing,” Eddy said. “Even though affordability remains a challenge, the slower pace has allowed people to make decisions that feel right for them, and that’s reflected in lower regret levels across the board.”