Because the quarantine stuck us all at home, we started to notice the things around our abodes that looked awkward or downright wrong. Maybe you placed the TV too high or chose the worst possible paint color in your bathroom. You are not alone in this; many people expressed buyer’s remorse amid the pandemic.
Perfect homes hardly come by, but if you can make yours as flawless as can be, then take your time before investing in a new house and land, or building your dream home. While it’s exciting to see all your hard work finally come to fruition, a new house is by no means a simple project. It will potentially stay with you for a lifetime, so unless you can afford to do renovations every few years, then sit down and carefully plan your ideal space first.
That said, here are the steps to avoid the dreaded buyer’s remorse:
1. Consult a Real Estate Professional
Before shopping for a new home, consult a real estate professional. Many buyers skip this because of the fee, but you may end up spending more money if you rule them out. Real estate agents or realtors will actually help you save more money because they can point out everything that can go wrong in a specific deal, such as hidden maintenance issues, unpaid homeowner’s insurance, etc.
Sometimes, real estate professionals can already access a property before it gets listed, so by obtaining their help, you can save yourself from a faulty home that looks pristine on the outside.
2. Hire an Architect
People who want to build a house, even on a budget, must hire an architect. It shouldn’t even be a question, yet some people still insist that they don’t need one. Like doctors, lawyers, and engineers, architects completed a rigorous degree so that they can design a home that will last a lifetime. Though a builder or a home designer can also design a home, they cannot anticipate your needs like an architect does.
What difference does that make? Plenty. An architect selects the proper building materials for your home, supervises the construction process, and notes the direction of the sun and wind, helping them predict what a heatwave or storm can do to your home. Simply put, their work isn’t just for aesthetic purposes. They’ll ensure that your home’s design will withstand the elements with minimal degradation.
3. Look Past a House’s Appearance
You may easily fall in love with a home clad in all trendy features, such as hardwood floors, a stone fireplace, or luxurious countertops. But you have to look past those superficial details because they don’t do much in minimizing noise, ensuring security, or promoting safety.
Hardwood floors, for example, may look gorgeous and all, but are high-maintenance and prone to damage, especially the soft types. Unless you like the aesthetic of worn wood, then its fragility shouldn’t bother you.
Superficial details aren’t unimportant, but instead of prioritizing them first, make them second to safety, security, sturdiness, and other factors that will directly affect the quality of your living. Ensure that the Pinterest-worthy features can save you from a fire, or provide privacy in a busy street.
4. Prioritize Your Needs Over Wants
Erie Insurance surveyed homeowners on what they regret the most about their homes, and the top five answers were:
- Hardwood floors
- Granite countertops
- Stainless steel appliances
- Fireplace
- Deck
This doesn’t in any way suggest that you shouldn’t have those in your home, but it can give you an idea of how features like those lose their appeal over time. None of them are useless, yet some homeowners still realized that they could live without them. So before buying a home, downsizing, upsizing, or building, decide how important every feature you want to add is. Do you want it because you need it, or do you need it because you want it? That makes a lot of difference, so always consider your needs ahead of your wants.
5. Don’t Let Your Emotions Influence Your Decisions
Some home-buying plans were born out of emotions. You see a beautiful house, fall in love with it, and get a mortgage and buy it right away. The milestone will feel fulfilling at first, but later on, you may realize that you weren’t actually ready to buy that home yet.
How do you know if your emotions are ruling over your logic? Go back to step one: Consult a real agent professional. They will serve as your unbiased eyes as you shop for homes, helping you keep your emotions at bay as you make a decision.
Buyer’s remorse is very real and common, so do yourself and your family a favor by taking these careful steps. It may prolong your journey to your dream home, but better delayed but perfect, than rushed but disastrous.
