82% of Buyers Regret Their Home Purchase And Agents Are a Big Reason Why
It’s one of the ugliest numbers in real estate right now:
82% of recent homebuyers have regrets about their purchase.
Not a typo. Eight. Two. Percent.
Why? Because too many agents are selling homes without selling reality.
They're not disclosing what they know. They're skipping the tough conversations about repair costs, long-term maintenance, and what it really means to own that “dream home.” And the clients? They’re left holding the bag and the bills.
The Hidden Costs No One Warned Them About
Here’s what buyers said they regretted most:
Unexpected repairs and maintenance
Overpaying or stretching their budget
Compromising on needs they now realize mattered
Taking on higher interest rates than they were ready for
But let’s be honest: these aren’t buyer mistakes. These are agent omissions.
Every seasoned agent knows when a home is going to be a money pit. They’ve seen the signs a hundred times. But many say nothing because they’re trained to “protect the transaction,” not the buyer.
Let’s Be Clear: Agents Know More Than They’re Saying
Real estate agents walk through homes with trained eyes. They know when:
The roof’s got 2 years left at best.
That AC unit is ancient.
The electrical is original and likely not up to code.
The foundation has telltale signs of movement.
The inspector’s “mild concern” should be a red flag.
But far too many agents won’t say it out loud. Why? Because if the buyer walks, so does the commission. And that’s the real issue. Protect yourself by uploading your inspection report to help identify upcoming cost.
Buyers Don’t Need More Salesmanship; They Need Advocacy
Buyers aren’t just looking for a house. They’re looking for someone who will tell them the truth; even if that truth makes the process harder in the moment.
“You can’t afford to sugarcoat reality when someone is about to spend a million dollars.”
At Smart AF Real Estate, we believe in giving buyers the entire picture. Not the pretty one. The real one.
That means:
Breaking down the real costs of that fixer-upper.
Explaining what that inspection report really says.
Helping them walk away from a house that will wreck their finances, not push them to close just because it’s convenient.
Honesty Isn’t Optional, It’s the Standard
It’s time to stop defending bad habits in this industry.
Agents: if you know something’s going to cost your client big-time, say it. If you don’t know, find someone who does. That’s your job. That’s your responsibility.
And buyers: you deserve better. You deserve an agent who tells you the truth, not just what you want to hear.
82% of buyers regret their purchase.
That’s not a market problem.
It’s a trust problem.
And trust starts with transparency.
At Smart AF Real Estate, we’re not here to sell you a house. We’re here to protect your future. Even if that means telling you something you don’t want to hear.
Because that’s what good agents do. That’s what different looks like.
