I don’t cry often, but when I was buying my first home, it was pure waterworks. I would get emotionally attached to a house only for my offer to be rejected, and the weight of knowing how much I would pay on closing day was overwhelming.
Apparently, I am nowhere near the only homebuyer to get emotional.
Thirty-four percent of homebuyers cried when buying a home, according to the Zillow 2026 Consumer Housing Trends Report.
Of the 144,000 Americans surveyed between March and July 2026, 25% of repeat buyers and 44% of first-time buyers cried at some point during the home-buying process.
The financial uncertainty surrounding a home purchase can make an already emotional experience even more stressful. From gathering mortgage documents to facing unexpected closing costs, buyers often have to navigate expenses and decisions they may not fully understand.
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Financial pressures add to the stress of buying a home
Zillow reported that three in four homebuyers used a mortgage loan to buy a house.
Getting a mortgage can be just as stressful as finding a home and making an offer, if not more so, because it can stretch across the entire buying process. Many people get pre-approved for a mortgage before even choosing a property, and you don’t receive the keys to your new place until you close on the mortgage.
“Buyers tell me the most stressful part about the mortgage loan application process is finding all the necessary financial information to share with the lender,” Corey Burr, senior vice president at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, told TheStreet. “Once a buyer thinks all information has been provided, the lender often asks for even more information.”
“Additionally, waiting for the final approval seems to take a long time, and that one decision can change the trajectory of a borrower’s life, in many cases, so it’s no wonder applicants stress about it,” Burr continued.
There’s also the worry that something could go wrong with the appraisal or inspection. If so, the buyer could end up spending even more money.
“A borrower believes firmly that a fair price was paid for the property, and the thought that an appraiser has the power to blow up a deal because a seemingly arbitrary and inexact process might result in a low appraisal is not comforting,” Burr said.
Why buying a home can be more emotional for first-time buyers
The Zillow report found that more first-time homebuyers (44%) cried during the home-buying process than repeat buyers (25%).
It makes sense. Buying a house can be stressful for anyone, but if you’ve never gone through the process and don’t fully know what to expect, it can be even more overwhelming.
First-time buyers are navigating an unfamiliar process while making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. The Zillow report suggests they may also face more moving parts along the way.
Zillow found that first-time homebuyers were more likely to submit offers on two homes than repeat buyers (32% versus 28%). Going through this process once, let alone twice, can be draining.
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The report also revealed that first-time buyers were more likely to contact two or more real estate agents than repeat buyers (54% versus 40%). Repeat buyers may have a pre-established relationship with a Realtor, but first-timers are starting from scratch.
“Buying a house is a very intricate process that requires a Dream Team of experts to execute on behalf of a buyer,” Burr told TheStreet. “A real estate agent, lender, inspectors, insurance agent and settlement company typically make up the team, and it’s difficult for a first-time buyer to ascertain the responsibilities of the parties and the process of the transaction.”
Knowing what to expect can reduce home-buying stress
Whether you’re a repeat or first-time buyer, the key to a less stressful home-buying experience is knowing what to expect.
“Almost all buyers (91%) said that they did not fully expect to pay at least one cost or fee, out of the five we asked about,” Zillow wrote in the report. “The most common unexpected fee was a loan origination fee (66%).”
Zillow asked participants about the loan origination fee, appraisal costs, title transfer taxes, title insurance/title search fee, and closing costs. First-time homebuyers were drastically less likely to expect any of these five fees.
About two in five homebuyers also reported that their closing costs were higher than anticipated. Again, first-time buyers were much more likely to be surprised by closing fees than repeat buyers (51% versus 37%).
Communicating with your real estate agent and mortgage lender is crucial. By discussing the commission with your real estate agent and fees with your lender up front, you can better prepare for the costs ahead.
Buying a home will still be stressful. But when you know what to expect — especially financially — the element of surprise is stripped away. And that gives you more emotional space to enjoy shopping for your new home.
