It would also be useful to have results of the similar survey mentioned. Even better, one done 10  or 15 years ago. My guess is that this is really nothing new. First time homebuyers are notorious for not looking at location, schools if they don't have kids, number of bedrooms or size of yard space if they don't have kids, and any number of other factors that more experienced homebuyers look at.  Interesting additional questions to ask would be "Do your parents, or other older friend or relative, own a home? and if so, did you ask for advice? and if so, did you follow that advice?" and then correlate them with satisfaction and comfort with the purchase.