One in three homebuyers cried during the process and first-timers had it even worse

Buying a home is supposed to be a dream come true — but for millions of Americans, the road to homeownership comes with a side of ugly crying.More than one in three recent homebuyers, or 34%, admitted to shedding tears during the process, according to Zillow’s 2026 Consumer Housing Trends Report.And for first-time buyers, the American dream apparently requires a box of tissues.A whopping 44% of those purchasing their first home reported crying at some point, compared with just 25% of repeat buyers — making newbies nearly twice as likely to turn on the waterworks.But the tears were just the tip of the emotional iceberg.Nearly two-thirds of buyers, or 64%, described the experience as stressful, including 24% who said it was very or extremely stressful.Younger buyers appeared to have an especially rough time, with 29% of those ages 18 to 29 reporting high levels of stress, compared with 20% of buyers in their 40s.And geography played a surprisingly big role in who needed the most tissues.In the West, a staggering half of recent homebuyers admitted to crying during their purchase — the highest share of any region.Northeastern buyers weren’t exactly keeping a stiff upper lip, either, with 35% reporting tears.Southerners, meanwhile, appeared to keep their composure a little better, with just 27% admitting to a homebuying breakdown.The emotional toll comes as aspiring homeowners grapple with the financial realities of getting a foot on the property ladder.Nearly one in four first-time buyers, or 23%, said they initially overestimated how much home they could afford, compared with just 14% of repeat buyers.And scraping together the cash is no small feat.A separate study found that New Yorkers need an estimated three years and eight months to save for a typical 15% down payment — nearly a year longer than the national average.And the house hunt itself can feel like a marathon.Some 17% of buyers spent at least six months searching for their home, turning what mig...