16 Big Regrets Virginia Homeowners Have After Moving In

The dream of owning a home sounds amazing until you realize that drywall doesn’t fix itself and roofs don’t last forever.

A lot of Virginia homeowners start by purchasing a home with big smiles and HGTV-style plans, only to end up saying, “Why didn’t anyone warn me?”

From maintenance surprises to layout regrets, the little and big things add up. Here are some of the most common things homeowners wish they had thought through before signing the dotted line.

Buying More House Than They Needed

It’s tempting to go big when house hunting—more space, more bedrooms, more bathrooms. But plenty of homeowners realize later that they didn’t actually need all that room.

More square footage means more cleaning, more furniture to fill the space, and higher heating and cooling bills. That “dream home” can quickly start to feel more like a money pit.

For many families, extra rooms go unused for years. That home office might sit empty if no one actually works from home. And those guest bedrooms?

They become clutter zones more than anything else. A cozy, functional space would’ve done the trick—and saved a ton of cash.

People also forget how much effort it takes to keep up with a big house. More rooms mean more dust, more lightbulbs to change, more things to break. What sounded like luxury becomes a whole lot of weekend work.

Skipping the Home Inspection

In hot markets, skipping home inspections to win a bidding war seems like the only option. But it’s one that many homeowners end up deeply regretting.

Those hidden issues, like mold in the crawl space or a decaying roo,f don’t stay hidden for long. And they’re not cheap to fix.

A proper inspection can save thousands of dollars down the road. Without one, buyers might end up with faulty wiring, plumbing nightmares, or structural issues that make them wish they’d rented forever.

A fresh coat of paint can hide a lot, but a home inspection sees past the cover-up. When buyers skip it, they’re basically rolling the dice—and hoping they don’t lose big.

Not Budgeting for Ongoing Maintenance

It’s easy to get caught up in closing costs and down payments and forget about the never-ending drip of maintenance expenses. The HVAC needs servicing, the gutters clog, the water heater gives out—one thing after another.

Many homeowners admit they didn’t plan for all of it.

Experts recommend setting aside 1% to 3% of a home’s value every year for maintenance, but not everyone does that. Instead, they get surprised when the washer dies and the fence needs replacing at the same time.

Being unprepared means stress—and potentially credit card debt.

Even newer homes aren’t immune. Things still break. Things still age. And outdoor stuff, like landscaping and pest control, comes with its own price tag.

Homeownership isn’t just a one-time payment—it’s a constant investment in keeping things running.

Choosing Style Over Function

A house can look absolutely stunning in photos and still be a nightmare to live in.

Many homeowners pick homes based on how cute the kitchen backsplash is or how trendy the open shelving looks. But later, they realize they sacrificed function for Instagram-worthy finishes.

Take open floor plans, for example. They look spacious but don’t offer much privacy. It’s hard to watch TV while someone else is cooking—or working—or doing Zoom calls from the kitchen table. That “bright and airy” vibe gets noisy really fast.

And don’t even get us started on bathrooms without storage, or kitchens that swapped cabinets for aesthetics.

Sure, floating shelves look great…until you realize there’s nowhere to stash the blender, the toaster, or your embarrassing mug collection.

Pretty doesn’t always mean practical.

Neglecting the Neighborhood Vibe

Plenty of buyers fall in love with a house and forget to check out the area. Then they move in and realize they’re miles from the nearest grocery store, or stuck in a school district they’re not happy with.

The house might be great—but the neighborhood is another story.

Some folks end up regretting things like noise levels or a lack of sidewalks. A perfect home isn’t so perfect when it sits next to someone who blasts music all night or lets their yard turn into a jungle.

Homeowners often wish they’d visited the neighborhood at different times—weekday mornings, weekend nights—to get the full picture.

It’s not just about the property lines. It’s about whether the area actually feels like home.

Forgetting Future Needs

That charming starter home might check all the boxes right now, but life changes fast. A lot of homeowners wish they’d thought more about the future when they bought.

Maybe they planned to have kids later, or didn’t consider that their parents might move in someday soon.

Once families grow or lifestyles shift, it’s hard to adjust when space is tight. And moving again is no small task. Some people find themselves stuck with steep remodeling costs just to make the home fit their changing needs.

Thinking in the mid-term instead of the short-term can save a lot of stress.

A little extra square footage, an extra bathroom, or a more flexible layout could mean the difference between staying put and scrambling to move again in just a few years.

Taking on Too Many DIY Projects

Thanks to the internet, it’s easy to believe you can do anything with a few YouTube videos and a bucket of paint.

While some projects go smoothly, many homeowners regret diving headfirst into DIY territory—especially with plumbing, electrical, or anything involving power tools.

What looks easy online can turn into a costly mess. A crooked backsplash, a half-finished deck, or a leaky toilet fix can actually lower the home’s value if done wrong. And fixing a bad DIY job can cost more than hiring a pro in the first place.

Time is another factor. People underestimate how long projects take.

That “weekend project” turns into months of living without a bathroom mirror or a working door. Some homeowners wish they’d just hired someone from the start and saved themselves the headache.

Ignoring the Yard

Everyone loves the idea of a big backyard—until they realize they have to mow it, weed it, water it, and try to keep it alive. A lot of homeowners regret buying homes with more yard than they’re actually willing (or able) to maintain.

Those flowerbeds don’t weed themselves. And big lawns mean investing in equipment, dealing with pests, and spending lots of weekend hours in the sun or rain.

For folks who aren’t into gardening, that dream yard turns into a guilt trip every time they look outside.

On the flip side, some people regret not having enough yard. Whether it’s for kids, pets, or just a little privacy, outdoor space matters more than some folks think—especially once they move in and start missing it.

The key is knowing what you’ll realistically use.

Getting the Wrong Type of Mortgage

The mortgage is just a formality, right? Not quite.

A lot of homeowners regret not understanding what they were signing up for. Adjustable-rate mortgages, for example, seem appealing when rates are low. But they can jump later, leading to major sticker shock.

Others regret locking themselves into 30-year mortgages when they could have managed a 15-year one—and saved thousands on interest.

Some wish they’d compared lenders more carefully or looked for better closing cost deals. Rushing the process often leads to expensive decisions.

Reading the fine print matters. So does knowing your budget and having a financial cushion.

A mortgage isn’t just paperwork—it’s a long-term commitment. And if it’s a bad fit, it can make the whole homeownership journey feel way harder than it should.

Putting Off Small Repairs

It’s easy to ignore a leaky faucet or a little crack in the wall when you’re juggling everyday life. But a lot of homeowners end up regretting letting small problems slide.

That tiny drip can turn into a flood. That hairline crack?

It might be hiding something worse.

Home repairs don’t usually fix themselves—they get bigger, costlier, and more annoying over time. A clogged gutter might lead to a damaged roof. A loose tile can let in moisture that causes mold. Waiting too long means what could’ve been a $20 fix now costs a few hundred—or more.

Many homeowners wish they’d kept up with little tasks before they turned into big ones.

Making a “fix-it” list and tackling things monthly can go a long way in protecting the home’s value and saving money in the long run.

Choosing Trendy Over Timeless

It’s tempting to go with the hot trends when renovating or decorating—like all-white kitchens, barn doors, or gray everything.

But trends fade fast, and some homeowners end up regretting those bold choices once the style wave passes.

What feels modern today might scream “outdated” in just a few years. That’s a problem when it’s time to sell, especially if potential buyers see the home as needing a makeover. Plus, redoing things just to stay trendy can get really expensive.

Many homeowners wish they’d stuck to more classic styles for the big stuff—like cabinets, flooring, and countertops—and saved the trendy touches for things that are easy to swap, like paint colors or light fixtures.

Timeless usually wins the long game.

Ignoring Storage Needs

At first glance, a home might seem like it has enough storage—until you actually move in. A lot of homeowners regret not thinking about where they’d put their holiday decorations, sports gear, bulk toilet paper, and everything else that piles up over time.

Closets fill up fast. Garages turn into clutter caves. And not every home has an attic or basement to hide the overflow.

New homeowners sometimes find themselves renting storage units or cramming things into every spare corner.

Smart storage can make daily life way easier. Homes with big pantries, linen closets, and built-in shelves tend to feel more organized.

Skipping this detail upfront can lead to a whole lot of “where do I put this?” moments later.

Underestimating Utility Costs

First-time homeowners often get a rude awakening when that first electric, gas, or water bill shows up.

It’s not like renting, where utilities might be included or predictable. Big homes with old systems or poor insulation can be pricey to keep running.

Some homeowners also regret not asking about average utility costs before buying. A beautiful house with high ceilings might look amazing but cost a fortune to heat.

An old water heater or outdated HVAC system can chew through energy—and money—faster than you’d think.

Adding insulation, replacing windows, and switching to energy-efficient appliances helps—but that takes time and money too.

Understanding the long-term costs before buying can save a lot of budget stress later on.

Not Thinking About Resale Value

When buying a home, it’s easy to think “this is it forever.” But life doesn’t always go according to plan.

Job changes, family changes, or just wanting something new happens. That’s when some homeowners realize they didn’t consider how hard their home might be to sell.

Odd layouts, one-bathroom setups, or unusual features can turn buyers off. So can being in an unpopular school district or on a busy street.

Some homeowners regret not looking at their home as an investment, not just a place to live.

Even if someone plans to stay long-term, things change. Buying with resale value in mind—even just a little—can make moving on much smoother and way less stressful when the time comes.

Overlooking Natural Light

It’s something buyers often forget to notice until after they’ve moved in: how much sunlight the home gets.

Natural light affects mood, energy, and even how rooms feel. Homes that are dark and gloomy can start to wear people down—even if everything else looks good.

Some homeowners regret not noticing how trees or nearby buildings block the light, especially in the winter months. Others didn’t realize the orientation of the house meant their living room only got decent light for about 30 minutes a day.

Adding extra lighting later can help, but it doesn’t fix the problem.

Sunlight makes a house feel warm and welcoming. Without it, even a beautiful space can feel off.

Underestimating Renovation Costs

Many homeowners plan to “fix things up later” after moving in, but renovations are rarely as easy or affordable as expected.

That $10,000 kitchen upgrade often turns into a $25,000 saga once surprises start popping up behind the walls.

Permits, contractor delays, and price increases can drag projects out for months. And living through renovations isn’t fun. Dust, noise, takeout dinners—some folks end up regretting not buying a move-in-ready home instead.

What seemed like a bargain often isn’t once all the upgrades are added in.

Sometimes, it’s easier (and cheaper) to buy something already close to what you want.

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