Nearly Half of First-Time Homebuyers Say They Cried While Trying to Buy a House

Buying a house is supposed to be an exciting milestone, but for many Americans, the experience is far more stressful than they ever expected. Between saving for a down payment, finding the right property, and dealing with unexpected expenses, what starts as an exciting search can quickly turn into an emotional ordeal.

A new report from Zillow found that 34% of recent homebuyers cried at some point during the buying process. The number was even higher among first-time buyers, with 44% admitting they shed tears while trying to purchase their first home.

People who had already been through the process appeared to have an easier time managing the pressure. Only 25% of repeat buyers reported crying, suggesting that knowing what to expect may help make the experience less overwhelming.

The findings offer a different picture of homeownership than the smiling photos of new homeowners holding oversized keys. Behind those celebrations are months of searching, difficult financial decisions, and expenses that can catch even prepared buyers off guard.

The Stress Adds Up

Crying was only one sign of how difficult the buying process had become. According to Zillow, 64% of recent buyers described their experience as stressful, including 24% who said it was very or extremely stressful.

Younger Americans appeared to struggle more than older buyers, particularly those entering the housing market for the first time. Among buyers ages 18 to 29, 29% reported high levels of stress, compared with 20% of those in their 40s.

The emotional toll also varied depending on where buyers lived. In the western United States, half of all recent buyers admitted crying during the process, making it the region with the highest reported rate.

Buyers in the Northeast followed at 35%, while 27% of those in the South reported the same experience. The report did not establish exactly why some regions had higher rates, although the cost of housing and local market conditions can differ greatly from one area to another.

More Than Expected

For many first-time buyers, one of the earliest challenges was discovering that their budget would not stretch as far as they initially believed. Zillow found that 23% of first-time buyers overestimated how much home they could afford, compared with 14% of people who had purchased a property before.

The financial surprises often continued after buyers found a house within their price range. Zillow reported that 91% of buyers encountered at least one fee or expense they had not fully expected, adding another layer of pressure to an already costly purchase.

Closing costs were a particular problem for newcomers, with 51% of first-time buyers saying their final expenses were higher than anticipated. Those charges can include mortgage processing fees, appraisals, title services, and other costs that buyers must cover in addition to their down payment.

Even relatively small expenses can become difficult to manage when someone has already committed much of their savings to purchasing a home. Zillow’s breakdown of the findings highlights how financial surprises can make the experience harder, particularly for buyers who have never navigated these expenses before.

Months of Searching

Finding a suitable home could also require months of effort, especially for buyers trying to balance their preferred location, budget, and the features they wanted. Although the typical search lasted two to three months, 17% of buyers spent at least six months looking before making their purchase.

That extended search can mean repeated property tours, difficult decisions about which features to compromise on, and more time spent watching homes enter and leave the market. For someone hoping to move quickly, the uncertainty can make planning the next stage of life more complicated.

First-time buyers also spent more time finding professional help. About 54% contacted multiple real estate agents during their search, compared with 40% of repeat buyers, showing that newcomers were more likely to explore their options before choosing someone to guide them.

Surprisingly, the report found that 46% of buyers submitted only one offer during their search. That suggests the challenges of buying a home are not limited to competing against other shoppers, since much of the pressure can develop before a buyer ever makes an offer.

First-Timers Fall Behind

The report also showed a change in who is managing to purchase homes. First-time buyers accounted for 42% of recent purchases in 2026, down from 50% in 2023, while people who had previously owned property made up a larger share of the market.

That difference matters because repeat buyers may have money (equity) from selling an existing home to help finance their next purchase. First-time buyers, meanwhile, often have to build their savings while also covering rent and other living expenses, making it harder to reach the amount needed to buy.

Purchasing a home was also frequently a shared financial commitment rather than something people managed alone. Zillow found that 63% of buyers purchased their property with at least one other person, reflecting how often homeownership involves combining financial resources.

The findings were published in Zillow’s 2026 Consumer Housing Trends Report on October 14, offering a closer look at the experiences of Americans who successfully purchased homes despite the financial and emotional challenges involved.