Seven Ways to Deal With Buyer's Remorse

There seems to be a flicker of life in some regions as existing home sales, while still low, aren't falling as quickly as projected. People who can buy are bargain-hunting great real-estate deals, and that usually means more business for the local shrinks. Why? It's that syndrome that affects so many called "buyer's remorse."

"Even if your head, your accountant, your friends and family tell you this is a fantastic deal, it's natural to feel skittish because buying property is a major commitment," says Sandy Rodgers, a marriage and family counselor in Chicago. "The first thing to remember is buyer's remorse is normal; it's not just you."

So if you've signed the paperwork and you're starting to feel nauseous, what should you do besides bring your head down to your knees? Here are seven tips to keep remorse at bay.

Talk it out: If you're buying the property with a spouse, significant other or a business partner, don't bottle up your feelings. "You can say, 'Maybe we should have talked about this last week, but I'm anxious about this deal, ' " says Rodgers. If you're buying it solo, talk to a friend or relative and get their take. You may not hear all the answers you want, but you'll likely be better off than if all the doubts were locked up in your head.

Write it out: Spelling out what made you buy the property on one side of the paper and why it's a bad deal on the other side can help clarify the situation. Seeing that the positives outweigh the negatives often help turn the decision around for you.