New research has revealed that 20% of Britons believe they have compromised when finding a new home, with renters more likely to be unhappy than buyers.
Those that were unhappy cited various reasons, including not liking the neighbours, finding the property too small and considering the upkeep too much work.
The study by AA Home Membership also found that 29% of respondents discovered a lot of problems after moving into their home and the same amount did not get on with their neighbours. 26% admitted to moving into a property because it was affordable, not because they liked it.
Additionally, 25% said that the property was too small after living in it for some time and 21% thought their home needed too much upkeep. For 13%, the property was no longer suitable as their circumstances had changed.
The findings also revealed big differences between homeowners and tenants. 26% of renters had grown less fond of their home compared to 17% of owner-occupiers.
Tenants are also more likely to move into a home that has unexpected problems and not get on with the neighbours. Homeowners are more likely to struggle with the upkeep and have changing circumstances, such as a child leaving home, which makes the property less suitable.
The cost of a home was the most re-evaluated aspect, mentioned by 32% of respondents. 27% said they had to compromise on either the location or the size. 19% moved into a home that needed more work doing to it than expected and 18% had fewer bedrooms than they wanted.
A quarter of those who compromised were unhappy about doing so. Those aged between 18-24-years-old were the most bothered, with 31% saying they were not happy about making a compromise.
Head of AA Home Membership, Helen Brooker, says: “It must be quite disheartening to find that your home is not all you hoped it would be. Some issues such as property maintenance and anti-social neighbours may only become apparent over time, and may not have been a cause for concern when the householder chose the property.
“It’s pretty common for people to have to compromise when looking for somewhere to live, as after all, not many people can afford their dream home. Even if you find your ideal property, the housing market is so competitive there’s no guarantee you’ll get it.
“Others, particularly those who are looking for somewhere to live with a partner, may find that they have different tastes and opinions, and may find it difficult to agree on what they want.”1
1 http://snip.ly/HTM7#http://www.propertywire.com/news/europe/uk-home-owners-moving-2015070110692.html