One in three people in the UK claim that buying a property is either more or as stressful as the end of a serious relationship.
New research from Ocean Finance shows 35 per cent of respondents rate buying a new home and moving into it as being as stressful or more stressful than breaking up with a long-term partner.
More than one in five (22 per cent) respondents claim buying a property matches or exceeds the death of a relative in terms of stress.
Forty-five per cent of those who bought in the last five years said finding a property was the most stressful part of the process.
However, despite the recent credit crunch, securing a mortgage is seen as less stressful than moving day itself.
Two-fifths (42 per cent) of buyers rate packing and physically moving their belongings as most stressful, compared to just over a third (37 per cent) who cite applying for a mortgage.
Moving was also more stressful than negotiating with the sellers on price (41 per cent).
Ian Williams, spokesman for Ocean Finance, says while buying a house can be a big move, it’s still surprising that it beats a relationship break-up or a loved one dying in the stress stakes.
“While finding a suitable home, applying for a mortgage and actually moving can all cause anxiety, the end result is often worth it.
“Owning your own slice of the property market can be a great feeling – and hopefully it will be a few years before you have to cope with all that stress again.”
