Robotic vacuum cleaner, air fryer and lawn equipment top the list; survey also reveals etiquette trends and regifting fails

Couples registering for wedding gifts may want to review the results of a national survey conducted for Erie Insurance before choosing gifts for their registries. The survey asked about items couples didn’t register for but now wish they had, as well as gifts they are still glad they registered for versus ones they regret. The survey also asked respondents about their most unusual wedding gifts, their attitudes on various etiquette topics including registering for money, and their advice to other couples registering today.

Common registry items people didn’t register for but now wish they had included a robotic vacuum cleaner, an air fryer and lawn equipment. Here’s a ranked list of what people wish they had registered for, as well as the percentage of people who did register for the item and are still glad about it.

“Erie Insurance protects people’s homes as well as their belongings, so it’s interesting to see the types of items that couples register for,” said Bob Buckel, vice president and homeowners product manager, Erie Insurance. “It’s also important to understand that most homeowners insurance limits the coverage that applies to valuable items such as jewelry, china, silverware and artwork, among others. We recommend talking to an agent about how best to make sure you’re properly covered.”

Many respondents did receive and insure such items, including fine china (14%), fine silver (11%), fine crystal (10%) and valuable artwork (6%).

When asked to name their favorite gift that they registered for and received, one person said an elephant ride; another said a trip to Paris; and another said his and hers matching bathrobes.  Regarding items people most regretted registering for, write-in answers included a back scratcher, dog seat covers, and “too many casserole dishes.”

Some of the more unusual gifts couples received were regifts. One person said they received a restaurant gift card for an odd amount, as if part of it had been used. Another received a registry book that had already been written in. 

Respondents also weighed in on etiquette topics, including registering for money. While two-thirds of people (66%) think registering for money is fine, the other third (34%) think it’s tacky/in poor taste. Registering for money is least socially acceptable in the Northeast, where 41% of respondents think it’s in poor taste, while it’s most accepted in the South, where fewer than a third (30%) think it’s tacky.

Almost half of those surveyed (46%) said they registered for money. Of those, nearly half (45%) said it was for general use, while 31% said it was for a honeymoon. Ten percent said it was for a down payment on a house, and the same percentage said the money was for a home improvement project.

People were of two minds when it came to offering advice to couples registering today. Several said they’d advise couples to register for expensive items they’d never buy for themselves (one said to register for “something special that will make you cry when you see it”) while others encouraged registering only for practical items they would use often, with one saying “get the needs out of the way before the wants.”

Hear people talk about their own wedding registry experiences https://youtu.be/eC8tjZ5JovY.

Methodology

This survey was conducted online by Falls Communications on behalf of Erie Insurance from June 26 through July 1, 2019 among 500 U.S. residents ages 28-40. It was designed to capture and compare the opinions of U.S. residents who had registered for wedding gifts within the past six years (between 2013-2018). Falls Communications established the sampling quotas, designed the questionnaire, tabulated the survey responses, and managed the overall project. Falls used Dynata (Plano, TX) to administer the survey via the internet, including mobile devices, to Dynata’s captive U.S. panels who met the age and regional demographic criteria.

About Erie Insurance 

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 9th largest homeowners insurer and 12th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 16th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has more than 5 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance Group is a FORTUNE 500 company.

News releases and more information about Erie Insurance Group are available at www.erieinsurance.com.

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1. Know your finances:

It sounds obvious but it’s easy to overlook. “There are a few truly critical things to do and understand with personal finance and buying a home,” explains Keller Williams Newtown realtor Steven Masterson. “First, know your credit score. The higher your credit score the better. When preparing to buy a home there are some critical things to do. Second save cash.  There are expenses from down payment, closing costs, inspections, moving, and furniture purchases just to name a few. Plus now you’ll have a mortgage.” Next, Masterson says sure you have no major credit pulls. “If you can, don’t buy a new car or finance expensive TVs or new furniture,” he adds. “So the basics here are save cash and protect your credit score. Do those two things and you’ll be ready to buy a home.” 

2. Don’t Just Start Looking:

Sure it’s easy to want to jump over the boring financial details of interest rates, points and approval questions and go touring gorgeous kitchens and spa bathrooms. But sometimes that’s just setting yourself up for disappointment. “I recommend that the first thing you do is not see a house. Meet with your realtor, or several — you are a consumer, and have a buyer’s consultation meeting. Here, you’ll learn about the buying process from your first showing to closing,” explains Masterson. Next he suggests focusing on getting your pre-approved from a lender. “”The worst thing your realtor can do for you is skip what I suggested, show you your dream home and you’re not ready to purchase it.  What I mentioned above is my recipe for success. I have repeated it successfully numerous times.” 

3. Buy For Today:

A big question newlyweds often have is whether to buy a house for a future family or a more modest home that suits their immediate needs. Many experts agree it’s better to get into the real estate market for something affordable rather than wait until you can afford that mini-mansion. ”Who knows where the country will be with home prices and interest rates if you decide to hold out for a year or two? cautions Masterson. “This always comes down to need. If you need a home now, buy one now that suits your needs. If you are newly married, working professionals, and don’t plan to have children immediately, don’t buy your dream home with five bedrooms. Buy within your means and your investment may help fund your next home purchase.” 

4. Hot Markets Require a Little Fire:

Let’s face it, Philly, South Jersey, Lehigh Valley — there’s a lot of hot areas in the tri-state region. Masterson offers this advice for new buyers looking to get into those much-desired zip codes. “Be aggressive!  When you find your home in that hot neighborhood you’ll have to offer at- or over asking price. Now, when I show a house and my clients immediately love it, that’s a sign there will be multiple offers.” He says In multiple offer situations buyers need to shine on a paper. “This is where your realtor comes in. Your offer needs to be professionally written, with strong deposits, and a reputable lender. I have also found that a personally written letter helps sway sellers.”  

5. Save, Save, Save:

A nice down payment savings account can make all the difference to getting the first home of your dreams. But there are other costs beyond just that chunk that goes toward the principle of the house. Masterson says there are many variables that will determine what you’ll actually need to save. He suggests talking to your lender about all the costs you might encounter (for example, a property inspection might set you back several hundred to a thousand dollars, and you might need more than one!). “Down payment will be greatly impacted by the type of loan you’ll be approved for – FHA, Conventional , VA etc. Remember, less down payment equals higher monthly mortgage and vice versa. Depending on area, closing costs can range from $6,000-12,000 and any potential seller assist will lower your closing costs. You’ll learn about all of this during your buyer’s consultation meeting mentioned above. 

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