New Survey Confirms Most Couples Argue Over Homebuying

Feb 12, 2020

The homebuying process can be an emotionally trying situation, and a new survey commissioned by Zillow finds that couples who share the house hunt often get on each other’s nerves.

The survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, asked more than 2,000 who have gone through the homebuying process about the experience. Seventy-seven percent of respondents who sought out property with a significant other in the past decade admitted that they got into arguments during the process, while 71 percent who sold a home in the same period acknowledged they wound up fighting with their significant other while listing their residence.

Among the angry buyers, 54 percent disagreed over the size or style of home to buy and 47 percent bickered over the features they wanted in the home. Other conflicts were based on location (42 percent), budget (37 percent) and whether to buy a fixer-upper (29 percent). Mortgages sparked anger among nearly one-quarter of these couples.

Among the agitated sellers, most of the fights occurred among Millennial couples (85 percent) rather than baby boomers (54 percent). Sixty-nine percent of sellers got angry with each other over the pricing of the homes, compared to whether or not to make repairs (24 percent), the hassle of strangers that showed up for open houses (24 percent) and whether to keep the house clean for showings (24 percent).

About the author

Phil Hall

Link copied

Published

Feb 12, 2020

Analysis and Data

Redfin: Homebuyers Gain Leverage, But Pending Sales Keep Sliding

Pending sales fall 16.4% from a year ago despite lower home prices and mortgage payments, as sellers retreat from a weakening market

Home prices are falling. Mortgage payments are easing. Sellers are becoming more willing to negotiate. Yet the housing market keeps losing buyers.Pending home sales fell 16.4% year over year during the four weeks ending Nov. 1, reaching their lowest level in Redfin's weekly ...

Tech

New AI-Run Mortgage Startup Builds Database Of 224,000 LOs

LenDb.ai is making LO records available to AI assistants, offering a potential new way for borrowers to find originators

A new mortgage technology startup is betting that borrowers will increasingly turn to artificial intelligence to find a loan originator, and it wants to make sure AI knows whom to recommend.LenDb.ai, launched Thursday by venture studio Draper Goren Blockchain, has assembled ...

Feb

Palm Springs, CA

More from

Industry News

Fed Holds Rates, But Pricing Pressures Persist

Rising Treasury yields and fresh inflation data complicate rate locks, borrower qualification, and lender margins as markets anticipate another hike in December

Industry News

Oct 29, 2026

Zippy Adds Capital For Manufactured-Home Lending Push

The $20 million investment from Saluda Grade will support expansion beyond 27 states and new loan products across wholesale, retail, and community channels

Industry News

Oct 16, 2026

Inflation Hits 3.7%, Putting Mortgage Rate Relief At Risk

September’s inflation pickup puts recent rate improvements at risk, potentially eroding affordability gains from lower home prices and seller concessions

Industry News

Oct 14, 2026

PLACE Acquires Ardley, Expanding Push To Turn Existing Borrowers Into New Loans

The latest deal connects borrower retention technology with Maxwell's origination platform and PLACE's real estate network, creating new opportunities for lenders

Industry News

Oct 09, 2026

Equifax, TransUnion Launch New Tools To Cut Credit Report Costs

Both bureaus introduce ways to purchase credit scores separately from reports, while Equifax reports growing VantageScore adoption and extends $1 pricing through 2028

Industry News

Oct 09, 2026

Newrez, eXp Realty Form Joint Venture To Target Purchase Business

Revenos Mortgage is set to launch in early 2027, replacing eXp's joint venture with Kind Lending

Industry News

Oct 08, 2026

Popular