Don’t Let Regret Drive Your Real Estate Decisions
I recently came across a quote often attributed to Warren Buffett that feels especially relevant in today’s real estate market:
“The best buying and selling decisions are made with analysis, not attachment. Emotions belong in your life—not in your negotiations.”
Whether you’re buying or selling, that’s wise advice. Sellers can become emotionally attached to what they believe their property is worth. Buyers can fall in love with a home before objectively evaluating whether it aligns with their goals and finances. As Buffett suggests, good decisions require perspective and discipline—not emotion.
Lately, I’ve had several Summit County homeowners tell me they regret not selling during the peak market of 2022 and 2023.
If you’ve had that thought, I’d encourage you to let it go.
The reason you didn’t sell back then is simple: it wasn’t the right time for you. Maybe you weren’t ready to move. Maybe you hadn’t found your next property. Maybe your family situation wasn’t aligned. Whatever the reason, you made the best decision you could with the information and circumstances you had at the time.
Looking backward rarely helps us make better decisions moving forward.
The question isn’t whether you should have sold three years ago. The question is whether selling makes sense today.
According to Land Title, Summit County’s dollar volume is currently tracking approximately 9% below the same period last year. That’s an important statistic, but numbers alone don’t tell the whole story.
For many owners, a Summit County property represents much more than an investment.
During buyer consultations, I often discuss which neighborhoods and property types have historically produced the strongest appreciation and resale value. Every so often, a buyer will stop me mid-sentence and say:
“Kelly, this isn’t really about the investment. That’s secondary. We’re buying a place where our family can spend time together.”
And honestly, I understand exactly what they mean.
For many families, their mountain property isn’t simply an asset on a balance sheet. It’s where grandchildren learn to ski. It’s where holidays are celebrated, traditions are created, and lifelong memories are made. It’s where family and friends gather for powder days, summer hikes, mountain bike rides, and evenings around the campfire.
If that’s what your property represents, don’t underestimate its value.
Ten years from now, you may not remember exactly what interest rates were or what the market was doing. But you’ll remember the experiences, relationships, and memories that took place there.
That’s why it’s important not to let regret drive your decision-making. Selling simply because you’re frustrated that you missed a previous market peak can be just as emotional as buying because you’re afraid of missing the next one.
Instead, focus on what matters most: your goals, your family, your finances, and your timeline.
It’s also worth recognizing why today’s market looks different than it did a few years ago.
Has Summit County fallen out of favor? Absolutely not.
Have second homes suddenly become undesirable? Not from what I’m seeing.
The fundamentals that have made Summit County special for decades remain firmly in place. We still enjoy world-class skiing, endless outdoor recreation, a vibrant mountain community, and a limited supply of developable land.
What’s changed are the economics.
Higher interest rates have reduced affordability for many buyers, while short-term rental regulations have altered the equation for some investors. More than anything else, those two factors have slowed transaction activity compared to the extraordinary market conditions we experienced during and immediately following the pandemic.
That doesn’t mean demand has disappeared. It simply means the buyer pool has changed.
As our community continues to evolve, conversations about short-term rentals, growth, and housing policy will undoubtedly continue. Some people welcome those changes, while others view them differently. Regardless of where you stand, understanding the factors influencing today’s market is far more productive than dwelling on opportunities that have already passed.
So if you’re contemplating a sale—or considering a purchase—don’t let hindsight dictate your next move.
Don’t sell because you’re frustrated you missed yesterday’s market.
Don’t buy because you’re afraid of missing tomorrow’s.
Make decisions based on where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow.
The market will do what the market does. Your job is to make the decision that’s right for your family and your future.
As Buffett reminds us, analysis should guide our decisions—not attachment. But when it comes to owning a piece of Summit County, it’s also worth remembering that some of life’s greatest returns aren’t measured in dollars at all.
