What happened
In 2026, the hidden costs of homeownership are becoming impossible to ignore. Property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA assessments, maintenance, repairs and rising monthly expenses are forcing some homeowners to question whether buying a house was really the American Dream they expected.
In this Monterra documentary, we look beyond the mortgage payment to examine the real cost of owning a home in America — and why homeowner regret and buyer’s remorse are becoming such an important part of the housing conversation.
We examine:
• The hidden costs of homeownership • Why a fixed-rate mortgage doesn’t always mean a fixed monthly payment • Rising property taxes and homeowners insurance • Expensive HVAC, roof, plumbing and foundation repairs • HOA fees and special assessments • Why some homeowners regret buying • Renting vs. buying in 2026 • Millennial homeowner regret • How Gen Z views homeownership • Why some homeowners feel financially trapped by low mortgage rates • Whether owning a home is still worth it
For generations, buying a house represented stability, wealth and the American Dream.
But the mortgage was never the entire cost.
For many homeowners, the payments keep coming long after the keys change hands.
Your house may be something you own.
But in 2026, it can increasingly feel like a subscription.
