Everyone wants the perfect home: affordable, spacious, modern and in the right spot. But a new survey shows that in Austria, most people don’t get everything they hope for—and many stretch their budget or settle for less along the way.
According to a recent ImmoScout24 survey conducted by Innofact, while a lucky third find exactly what they're looking for, the majority have to make significant compromises.
One in three people in Austria live the dream
The good news is that some do get lucky: about 31 percent of people in Austria surveyed report they found a home matching their expectations perfectly, without needing to sacrifice anything on their wishlist.
READ ALSO: Where in Austria can you still buy property at a reasonable price?
For most, however, reality involves adjusting expectations, particularly regarding cost. Around 16 percent of people in Austria admitted their new home cost more than they'd budgeted for, either in rent or purchase price.
It seems that when the ideal home appears, stretching the budget becomes inevitable.
Space ranks high among the compromises people in Austria make. Approximately 12 percent settled for smaller properties than originally desired, while 10 percent ended up with fewer rooms than they'd hoped for.
Amenities and location
The compromises don't stop at finances and space.
People in Austria also reported sacrifices in terms of amenities and location. About 8 percent moved into homes that were less modern or less energy-efficient than intended. Another 7 percent accepted living in buildings they found less attractive or lacking amenities such as cellars, garages, or elevators.
Additionally, 7 percent compromised by accepting less appealing neighbourhoods or locations than initially desired.
Beyond amenities and style, some people in Austria face compromises involving their property's environment and surroundings.
Some 6 percent said they had to move further away from their ideal areas, which ended up increasing their daily commute and routine travel distances. A smaller percentage (4 percent) missed out on either desired urban amenities or nature, according to the survey.
READ ALSO: Why Austria’s property prices could rise again by 2026
Compromise doesn't mean unhappiness
Despite these compromises, the reality isn't as bad as it might seem. Still, experts say that compromise doesn’t mean regret.
"Looking for real estate often means weighing things up, letting go, and reassessing," said Markus Dejmek, Head of ImmoScout24 Austria. "Compromises are part of the process for the majority, but this doesn't diminish people's happiness in their homes."
Indeed, according to ImmoScout24's annual trend study, 80 percent of people in Austria report being highly satisfied or even very satisfied with their homes, regardless of compromises made during the search.
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