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Sam covers personal finance topics, from the best savings rates to the reasons mortgage lenders say no. He enjoys crunching the numbers to help consumers get ahead.
Buying a home can be stressful at the best of times. Delays, unexpected costs and mortgage problems can all make an already complicated process harder.
To find out what buyers struggle with most, Which? asked almost 4,000 mortgage holders about the most stressful aspects of buying their current home.
From lengthy waits to mortgage worries, we reveal some of the biggest concerns and explain what you can do to make your next move smoother.
Buying a home can involve a lot of waiting, and our research suggests this is a major source of stress. One in 10 respondents mentioned the word 'waiting' when describing the most stressful aspect of buying their current home.
The most stressful aspect of buying my current home was the financial uncertainty and long waiting periods, where delays, mortgage approvals, and costs felt out of my control.
Buying a home in the UK takes five months, on average, according to Rightmove analysis. However, this can vary depending on where you're buying.
In Scotland, purchases are typically quicker. This is often attributed to buyers receiving more information upfront, through a Home Report, which includes a single survey, an energy report and a property questionnaire. The Scottish system also provides greater certainty, as a binding contract forms once the sale details are agreed.
Wherever you're buying, delays can still happen. To make delays less stressful, choose a conveyancer who communicates clearly and keeps you up to date. Compare prices, but remember the cheapest option isn't always the best. A poor service could end up costing you more than you save.
The government has announced plans to reform the home buying and selling system in England. These include providing buyers with more information upfront and introducing binding contracts, bringing parts of the process closer to the Scottish system. The aim is to reduce delays and the risk of unwanted surprises emerging during a purchase.
The government anticipates that most home buying and selling reforms will also apply to Wales and Northern Ireland.
However, buyers and sellers are unlikely to see these changes for some time. Under the current roadmap, legislation is expected to be introduced by the end of this Parliament in July 2029.
Buying a home is expensive, with costs coming at buyers from all angles.
Knowing what you'll need to pay before buying your first home or moving house can help you budget effectively and avoid being caught out later in the process.
Moving home in England typically costs around £18,000, according to Reallymoving research, with stamp duty (Land and Buildings Transaction Tax in Scotland and the Land Transaction Tax in Wales) the biggest expense. To estimate how much tax you might owe, use our stamp duty calculator.
Costs are typically lower for first-time buyers. The average cost of buying a first home, including stamp duty, conveyancing, surveys and removals, is £2,315. This is partly because the average first-time buyer in England pays no stamp duty and won't have estate agent fees from selling a property.
When buying a home, budget for smaller, less obvious expenses, as they can quickly add up. Our previous research found that decorating and buying curtains and blinds were common unexpected costs. New furniture and appliances were other expenses that frequently caught buyers out.
If you need to replace household items after moving, our expert reviews can help you find good-quality products that offer value for money. Take a look at our guides to the best TVs, best fridge freezers, best washing machines, best sofa shops, and best home tech and home appliance retailers.
Finding a competitive rate from a good lender was a significant source of stress for buyers in our research. One in 10 responses mentioned the mortgage as the most stressful aspect of buying their current home.
With rates having risen in September, it's especially important to understand how much you can borrow and compare deals before you commit to a property. On 1 September, the average two-year fix was 5.59%. On 30 September, it stood at 5.93%.
Experts predict that rates will continue to drift up because of rising energy prices. An increasing number of forecasts now believe the base rate will rise in November, which will push up tracker rates.
Which? has plenty to help you find the best possible mortgage during this period of higher rates. If you want to check the best rates, whether you're a first-time buyer with a 5% deposit or a home mover looking for a tracker mortgage, head to our best rates page. We update our tables twice a day to ensure you get the most up-to-date information.
Along with showcasing the lowest rates, we also research which lenders offer the best service. Our analysis rates lenders on customer satisfaction and includes star ratings on customer service and online access, among others.
Find the right mortgage using the fee-free service provided by L&C Mortgages
Compare mortgagesIf you click on the link and complete a mortgage with L&C Mortgages, L&C is paid a commission by the lender and will share part of this fee with Which? Ltd helping fund our not-for-profit mission. We do not allow this relationship to affect our editorial independence. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Our survey found that finding a good mortgage deal wasn't the only source of stress; the mortgage application process also caused concern.
As a first-time buyer, I found the mortgage application, property survey, legal searches and requests for documents difficult to keep track of.
Before you start your property search, consider reading up on the common reasons mortgage lenders reject applications to prevent pain further down the line. For example, lenders may be cautious about accepting mortgages on properties located above commercial premises, particularly flats situated above takeaways.
Getting your documents together and understanding what you can afford before applying can also make the process smoother.
Lenders typically offer loans between 4.5 and 5.5 times your income, although this varies by provider and is dependent on your circumstances. Check lenders' criteria to find out exactly how much you may be able to borrow.
When completing a mortgage application, ensure all details are accurate and include the necessary supporting documentation. Missing or incorrect information can cause delays and could mean you miss out on the rate you were hoping to secure.
If you're self-employed, you may need to prepare additional evidence. For example, NatWest requires self-employed applicants to provide two years of income evidence. Having this ready before you apply can help avoid delays or issues with how much you can borrow.
Results based on an online survey of 6,514 UK adults with a mortgage, conducted by Deltapoll in August and September 2026. Specifically, 3,926 respondents answered our question about the most stressful aspect of buying their current home.
