Is anything more stressful than house selling/buying?

HanPop

Hi all, I just wondered if it was just me or does everyone find this one of the most stressful things that they’ve done? I think we are stressed out to the max but then again we do have 3 children 4 and under, a buyer pull out AFTER we should have exchanged and now a mad scramble to find a new buyer so we don’t lose the house we are buying. Things are looking a bit better as we have had two viewings today but I find the whole ‘trying to make our house look like a showhome’ a nightmare! I hope someone puts an offer in because I’m fed up of the whole process, but then again I’ll be nervous until we’ve exchanged after what we’ve been through.
Anyway, just making sure I’m not the only one who hates all of this and if I ever move I won’t be moving from there for a long time ha!

Mojisola

HanPop wrote: »

Hi all, I just wondered if it was just me or does everyone find this one of the most stressful things that they’ve done?

It's our system that makes it all so stressful - you can't be sure that it's definitely going to happen until the very last minute.

Perhaps when Brexit has been dealt with, the government will look again at how other countries organise house sales and improve our system.

onwards&upwards

Moving house has its difficulties, but I think if it’s the most stressful thing you ever go through, count your blessings because you’re very very lucky.

A few weeks in your new home and it becomes a distant memory. Good luck.

Soot2006

I think it's right up there with Top Stressful Events (according to the research!). It represents a big change, a big financial outlay, a big gamble, and a loss of familiar security (usually) ... But once it's all done, it will quickly fade away as you settle into a new life. Well, that's what I keep telling myself. I have viewed over 20 houses now. Offered on one then changed my mind after a second viewing as there were some "hidden" elements that came to light ... Now trying to negotiate on a house 50,000 more than the original one I wanted while pondering !!!!!! is wrong with my sanity. Meanwhile we accepted an offer 20,000 less than our asking but from a solid buyer. Now worried about losing said buyer if I can't find a house .... also now looking at a 70,000 differential between Plan A and what appears to have developed as Plan B. Starting wondering when money became a joke to me .... ARRRRRRRRGH!!!!!!


(so to answer your question: not much!)

lookstraightahead

It's nothing compared to must people's stresses, unfortunately

Gwendo40

I've never found selling or buying particularly stressful.

Any houses I've sold have been at sensible and realistic prices so have sold with minimal effort and no worries over getting a buyer, and I've never got particularly ''emotionally invested'' in any house I've been interested in, to the point where I've had my heart set on it and felt ''devastated'' to miss out on it.

To me there are far better things in life to invest my time, money and emotions in than a house.

MoneySeeker1

It's stressful but, on a comparative scale, I found there were/are other things that rate as a lot more stressful than that - eg job problems (I had ones that went on for decades), health problems (which can go on for years or even decades) and family problems (which can also go on for years or even decades).

Compared to those three stressors, then house selling/buying is not nearly so bad, as at least the stress will be over in a matter of months and it's possible to just leave the house and go out somewhere away from it all for a "break" from that.

hazyjo

Try doing it (selling & buying) two years after doing it the last time, alongside your dad, father-in-law, and cat dying (and lots of other people ill/dying). Throw in getting divorced for good measure. 2011-2013: worst years of my life (so far!).

Didn't put me off - moved again less than 5 years later!

correll

I have found buying and selling VERY stressful. I have bought before and sold before, but never done both together. I went through those moves with minimum problem. This has been fraught with problems
1) lost a vendor
2) Buyer willing to wait, get another vendor
3) lost a buyer
4) vendor willing to wait
5) 'cash buyer' applies for a mortgage

8 months down the line we are hoping to exchange soon (but I am not holding my breath!!)

diggingdude

I think I was lucky for all the wrong reasons having nearly died when someone decided to crash into me and spending 3 months in hospital buying my house recently didn't even register as a stress. I think back to a phrase someone in uni used years ago. "it's all relative"

HanPop

Yes it’s definitely all relative and pales into insignificance when thinking about health problems of myself or the people around me. However apart from that it is definitely one of the most stressful things I’ve done. I think since our buyer pulled out at the very last minute I’m not very trusting of other buyers and just think everyone will do the same! Obviously it’s not true but then again I don’t know what the next buyer will do/think. Thank god we’re moving into a new build and not one that is currently occupied because I don’t think I could deal with the stress of people messing about that end too.