Top 10 Myths About Buying Your “Forever Home”

By JP Fluellen

JP became a licensed real estate agent in 2010 after being a real estate investor for 2 years. He’s been a top real estate agent at Coldwell Banker The Property Exchange and has recently started the Titan Real Estate Team at eXp Realty.

If you’re shopping for what you think is your “forever home,” you may believe you’ve found the perfect place to settle down for life. The truth is, most people don’t stay in one home forever because life changes, and so do their needs. Jobs, family, lifestyle, and personal goals all shift over time, which is why it’s essential to separate fact from fiction. Here are the top myths about forever homes and what they really mean for you:

If I love it now, I’ll love it forever. What feels like a dream home today may not feel the same in five or ten years. Families grow, kids move out, and personal tastes evolve. Design trends fade, and layouts that once felt perfect can start to feel limiting.

We’ll always want to host big gatherings. Large spaces are appealing at first, but keeping them spotless for events can be overwhelming. As life gets busier, many people realize they don’t want the stress or expense of entertaining in a large home as often as they imagined.

Schools won’t matter once the kids graduate. Even if you no longer need the school district, future buyers will likely need it. Good schools add value to your property and help it sell faster. Failing to consider this factor can negatively impact your resale potential.

This yard is perfect. Outdoor space can be exciting during the buying process, but its upkeep is often underestimated. Landscaping, watering, and maintenance add time, effort, and cost. A yard that feels like a blessing today can feel like a burden tomorrow.

The design will always suit me. Tastes change, and trends don’t last. Features like shiplap walls, open shelving, or bold colors may not age well. Even your own preferences can shift over time, leaving you wanting something different.

I don’t mind the commute. A drive that feels manageable when tested once can become exhausting during daily rush hour. Long commutes can cut into family time and personal energy, and many homeowners regret not factoring this into their plans.

I’ll never get tired of this neighborhood. Neighborhoods evolve. A peaceful street today can change with new developments, businesses, or traffic. What feels like the perfect location now may not stay that way in the future.

We’ll always need these bedrooms. Family needs change. Children move out, and extra bedrooms often sit unused. While they may seem essential now, later they may become nothing more than storage rooms.

Bigger is always better. Larger homes typically incur higher utility bills, require more cleaning, and necessitate more repairs. Many homeowners discover that the added size doesn’t improve their quality of life. It just adds stress and expense.

This will be the last home we’ll ever buy. The biggest myth of all. Life rarely stands still, and job relocations, lifestyle changes, or personal goals often lead people to move again, even when they thought they’d never leave.

The idea of a forever home sounds comforting, but the reality is that life circumstances and needs often change. The best approach is to focus on buying a home that suits your lifestyle today, while maintaining flexibility for the future.

Whether you’re thinking about upsizing, downsizing, or simply finding the right fit, understanding these myths can help you avoid costly mistakes. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or text me at (307) 772-1184 or email me at jp@titanreteam.com. I’ll guide you through the process so you can make the best decision for your buying or selling goals.