Buying/Selling homes more stressful than having kids!
Buying and selling a property has been voted the second most stressful life experience, according to a new survey by UK consumer organisation Which?.
Only the strife of going through a divorce was voted more stressful than purchasing or selling a home, with seven in ten people considering the tribulations of moving house difficult.
Stresses
The Which? survey asked people to rate how stressful they found each of life’s major events, ranging from house buying and selling, divorce and buying a new car.
Going through a divorce topped the poll, with 78% of respondents considering it the most stressful event. However, buying a selling property followed closely, with 69% and 70% respectively finding these processes mentally fatiguing.
Indeed, buying or selling a home was found to be more stressful than having a baby, getting married or changing jobs!
Women found moving and selling harder than men, with 75% in comparison to 66%.
Reduce worries
Which? mortgage advisors said that both buyers and sellers could take measures to reduce the strain. The organisation advises people to be realistic over timeframes, as many are part of a chain.
It advises that when choosing lenders, buyers should consider reliability, overall costs and range of resources, as opposed to just one initial cost. Online companies are often cheaper, but do not always include a full service, Which? warns.
Building a good relationship with property professionals can also help, as they will be able to advise on what is viable for specific budgets.
Obsessed
David Blake, of Which? Mortgage Advisors, believes we are a nation, ‘obsessed with home ownership, but when it comes to buying or selling, our research shows that it can be an incredibly stressful process. Thankfully there are a number of things you can do to reduce the strain, including speaking with a mortgage advisor early on to get your finances in order.’[1]
‘Investing in good mortgage advice will ensure you find the best mortgage for your personal circumstances. To help avoid unnecessary stress when you’re getting a mortgage, do ask about the reliability and service levels of any lender you’re considering,’ Blake added.[1]
[1] http://www.propertywire.com/news/europe/uk-buy-sell-stress-2016010811408.html