Despite High Costs, Homebuyers Are Happy With Their Purchases
Despite high housing prices, most Americans say they don’t regret purchasing their homes. According to Bankrate’s 2025 Homeowner Regrets Survey, 70% of homeowners say they would purchase their homes again, which is on track with last year’s survey, when 69% of homeowners said they feel that way.
However, not all homeowners are happy with their choices, with many report feeling bogged down by high costs. The biggest complaint is ongoing maintenance and hidden costs being more expensive than expected, according to 42% of homeowners with at least one regret about their purchase.
"For most folks, buying a home is the most expensive transaction of their lifetime. After the purchase is complete, we find that affordability issues rank high on the list of regrets. While homeownership is still associated with the proverbial American dream, it is prudent to consider and plan for the many ongoing costs of ownership, not just getting over the threshold of the down payment and settlement." —Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst at Bankrate
Is homeownership an essential component of the American dream? Opinions vary by generation
Most Americans still agree that homeownership is a key part of the American dream, but older generations are much more likely to feel this way: approximately 84% of Generation X and 89% of Baby Boomers, in fact. Comparatively, just 78% of Generation Z and 74% of Millennials think homeownership is crucial to living the American dream.
When it comes to their current homes, 75% of Millennial homeowners and 71% of Gen-X homeowners say they would purchase their home again if they had the chance to go back in time. That’s compared with 62% of Gen-Z homeowners and 67% of Baby Boomers.
More on homeowner sentiment in the current market
- Homebuyer Sentiment Down in April 2025: Recent Fannie Mae data show most consumers feel that now is not the best time to buy a home, due to current market conditions.
- Pent-Up Demand Drives Optimism Among Prospective Homebuyers: Although the vast majority of Americans believe market conditions couldn't be much worse, some buyers are choosing to step into the market anyway.