by Highland Cabinetry survey shows that more than 82% of respondents had regrets about their choice of a home
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Most homeowners have come to accept that one almost never gets the perfect house, or one that checks all the boxes of needs, wants and dreams.
To understand that, watch any episode of HGTV’s House Hunters and you’ll see the tough choices buyers face as they narrow down their selection. There is always a process that involves compromise and getting some of the things you want, along with some of those you don’t.
The same is almost always true of the same network’s popular Love It or List It, where in each case, one partner wants to leave for a different home, while the other one wants to stay. It’s fascinating to watch, particularly as Hilary Farr often wins out with a renovation project that not only satisfies the spouse who hates any kind of change and wants to stay in the original home, with the one that was dead set on moving to another, be it an existing home or new construction.
These two shows came to mind in reviewing yet another consumer survey we received at Home News Now. This particular one, fielded by cabinet resource Highland Cabinetry, determined that more than 82% of those surveyed had regrets about their choice of a home.
Of course this is not a surprise given the factors that impact a move, ranging from distance to work, location in a given school district, distance from family or friends and even the style or layout of the rooms, to name several.
The survey identified the Top 5 reasons for buyer’s remorse, which included the following:
+ Unexpected renovation costs following the move. The survey noted that the average homeowner in the U.S. spends nearly $13,500 on repairs and improvements in their first year, and 48% said those costs were higher than expected, a reality that’s likely to be even more pervasive because of recent tariffs. The study also cites a 2024 real estate industry survey that estimates some 78% of homeowners exceeded their renovation budgets, with 44% saying they overspent by $5,000 and 35% saying they overspent by $10,000 or more.
+ Choosing a house that ends up being too small. Referencing Bankrate’s 2025 Homeowner Regrets Survey, the experts at Highland Cabinetry said that 21% of homeowners cite their home being smaller than expected as a major concern. It went on to note that a Guardian poll reported 19% regretted choosing a home that didn’t meet their long-term needs. “As families grow or remote work persists, inadequate living space not only limits comfort but often prompts costly expansions or a premature move,” Highland Cabinetry said.
+ Hidden defects such as mold and structural issues can negatively impact buyers’ impressions of their new home. With the median age of new homes across the U.S. at 44 years, this obviously impacts older existing homes more than new construction. But it’s also all the more reason for a thorough home inspection as required by most lenders. Highland said that some 42% of homeowners who regret their purchase “point to higher-than-expected maintenance and hidden costs, often due to latent defects. These concealed issues range from mold behind walls and outdated plumbing to structural cracks and electrical hazards.”
+ Mortgage payments strain budgets and spark regret. This is a conversation that buyers need to have before closing, as some 16% of buyers surveyed cited high payments as a concern. In addition, the survey noted, more than 18 million, or nearly 22% of American homeowners, spend more than a third of their income on housing costs, “with nearly half of those severely cost‑burdened.” It’s recommended that total housing costs, including mortgage, taxes and insurance, not exceed 28%-30% of one’s gross monthly income.
“With the latest price hikes and inflation, first‑time buyers now need an income of at least $126,700 to afford the median monthly payment of $2,570, which went up significantly from prior years,” the authors of the survey noted.
+ Regretting a poor location. This can include issues such as longer commute times, access to preferred schools and resale potential. Citing Zillow, the report noted that 39% of recent buyers were in locations farther from their jobs than they wanted, with 28% saying they wish they had chosen a different area. “Often, buyers have to sacrifice their priorities to be able to afford a house. Finding a good and comfortable neighborhood ranks at the top, with over 21% having to choose a less desirable area.”
So what does any of this have to do with furniture? A lot if you consider that many budgets are strained by high housing costs, high transportation costs, high renovation expenses and significant repairs buyers did not anticipate. That said, a lot of buyers also likely don’t anticipate the cost of furniture, which is already rising because of tariffs.
But since moving into a new home obviously requires some new furniture, consumers should take the following steps to budget for those expenses. Here are a few suggestions for them to follow:
+ Know going in how much you will be spending on mortgage payments including insurance and real estate taxes. Keeping within or below the 28%-30% as a percent of one’s income should allow plenty left over to buy furniture.
+ Know what you can afford from a repair or renovation perspective as part of the first- or second-year budget. A lot of homeowners may want to do everything at once, but that also means you’ve got to incorporate all those costs into the budget at once, often spreading out payments over at least a year if not two to five years.
+ Factor in how much you are spending or expect to pay on car payments or repairs as those can also take up a considerable part of the budget. The more expensive the car, the more expensive the repairs and insurance for the vehicle. It’s why many smartly opt for a value-oriented vehicle versus a new luxury car. Just because you think you can afford the car doesn’t mean you can afford everything else that’s required to drive and maintain it.
+ Also factor in utility expenses as part of the budget. Often these expenses are part of the monthly rent at an apartment or condo. But once you buy a home, they are part of the monthly costs of having a roof over your head. And those expenses, including electricity, gas and water, add up quickly.
Here’s where the retailer or sales associate comes in.
+ Figure out what type of furniture the customer wants and help them pick out what they can afford based on their available budget. Financing options that calculate monthly payments can make this easy for both the consumer and the sales associate early on in the sale/purchase process.
+ Help them shop different categories with these same numbers in mind so they can pick out the styles and items they want based on their budget.
+ Long-term financing options such as 48- or 60-month no interest may make such purchases a lot easier, but realize the consumer may want to pay it off more quickly. This doesn’t mean getting them to buy the cheapest furniture possible. Instead it means understanding the type of financing they are looking for and how aggressive they want to be in paying it off, much like they would in buying a vehicle at 36 or 48 months versus 60 months.
+ Make them comfortable with the process and don’t pressure them to make a decision right away. After all, this is furniture they will be living with a long time, so they want to make sure they make the right selection. Being there to help make that process easier likely will make them want to return to your store and you as a sales associate.
+ Provide details on what’s also available on the store website so they can continue to browse from the convenience of their own home. Just make sure they know that they will get the best deal and value from your store. That way they will be encouraged to either close the deal in person or make their purchase on your store website.
+ Always highlight the opportunities to buy from inventory when available. At the same time, be transparent about when they can expect it to arrive in their new home. That way they know what to expect and know they will receive it in a specific time frame.
The message is clear. Homeowners may not always get the exact home in the exact location they want. But they should never skimp on furniture if they can avoid it. There are simply too many great options out there for those who want to make whatever home they choose more of the home they really want.
