First-time buyer says a fixer-upper feels like a mistake, and other homeowners say that's normal

After trading a "new spacious rented flat" for an older house, a first-time homeowner found themselves experiencing buyers' remorse. 

"I feel like there is a sky high mountain of tasks that all cost money and time and I am so burnt out already," the new owner wrote on Reddit. However, several commenters pointed out that this can be a common experience for first-time homeowners and that the original poster did not have to fix everything all at once.  

Here's what to know

Posting on r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer, the buyer said the house was livable, yet still felt "like a downgrade even though I own it." They described the property as "nice but worn and old," saying much of it felt unsteady, crooked, painted an ugly color, peeling, or simply not quite right. An "ancient water system" added to the frustration by making even taking a normal shower a challenge.

Adding to their anxiety, the OP explained that, after purchasing the home, there was no money left to address everything. Wondering if they had made a mistake, the OP asked if others had experienced the same reaction.

In the comments, Redditors reassured the OP that what they were experiencing was common among new homeowners. 

"You went from a place where everything was already taken care of to a place where suddenly every little thing is your responsibility, and it can be incredibly overwhelming," wrote one commenter. "You don't have to turn it into your dream home overnight." 

"This is the exact stage where everyone feels like they made a mistake, and nobody warns you about it," added another.

That same commenter also suggested viewing the place less as a step down and more as "a project that hasn't started yet."

Others used similar language, with one calling it "classic post-purchase panic, comparing a fixer-upper to a rental someone else maintained." 

More background

However, what worried the poster most was not just the prospect of future fixes, but the way the problems were already disrupting everyday routines. They wrote that the old water system had them so confused they "can't even take a proper shower to clean myself and relax."

To feel less overwhelmed, many commenters recommended that the OP prioritize projects, starting with essentials like plumbing. 

"Get the shower sorted first because everything feels worse when you're not clean and rested," advised one. "After that, pick one room and make it pleasant, even if the rest of the house is still chaos."

Another agreed: "Good god get that shower fixed, ensure that plumbing and heating and appliances are all working and tackle the design improvements a step at a time."

Where can I learn more?

The OP is hardly alone in facing challenges as a new homeowner. The following stories show other examples of how homeownership stress can get worse when expensive surprises start surfacing.

• One buyer said invasive growth became the biggest regret after moving in.

• A new homeowner discovered a major property problem in the yard: relentless Japanese knotweed.

• Another homeowner called the lawn an absolute nightmare after invasive plants took over.

• A previous owner's shortcut turned garden cleanup into a back-breaking task for weeks.

• Removing inherited artificial grass left one buyer saying it felt a bit overwhelming.

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