While homeownership is often celebrated as a financial milestone, uncertainty, delays, and last-minute changes are leaving first-time buyers emotionally drained. More than two thirds of buyers (70%) said that they found purchasing and moving into their first home frustrating, new research by Skipton Building Society shows.

As Mental Health Awareness Week (11th-17th May) shines a light on the everyday pressures that affect wellbeing, Skipton’s findings show how quickly home-buying can become a source of anxiety.

Uncertainty around plans proves the most unsettling for those navigating the process. Over one in five buyers experienced stress around the uncertainty of their completion dates (22%), while 22% also felt emotional stress about their purchase falling through. Last minute changes (10%) and uncertainty about payments (10%) also drive anxiety in new buyers.

That emotional load can be even heavier for those navigating the journey alone. Skipton’s female solo buyer research found that nearly a third feel overwhelmed by the home buying process, balancing financial worries with the responsibility of making major decisions without support. More than half (53 per cent) also worry about the financial strain if their income were to change unexpectedly.

Speaking on the research, Head of Mortgage Products and Proposition at Skipton Building Society, Jen Lloyd, share some top tips:

“Our research shows while buyers are incredibly motivated, they face a disproportionate number of barriers – from saving for a deposit on one income to shouldering all the upfront costs alone. The risks and pressures of buying can feel amplified in today’s market, but that shouldn’t prevent people from pursuing this path.

Leaning on support networks such as friends and family, alongside regular contact with a professional can help ease the pressures, particularly if you are buying alone. When things are beyond your control, it’s natural to feel frustrated, but focusing on what you can influence can help you feel more grounded when waiting for things to move forward.

1. Don’t underestimate the cost of the first few months

The biggest financial shock for first time buyers isn’t always the deposit, it’s the cluster of costs that can hit all at once unexpectedly: rent overlap, removals, legal fees, furnishings and setup costs.

Do some research into the extra costs you may face just before you move in or during the first few months, turning unexpected expenses into expected ones makes the whole process far less stressful. It’s also worth building a “move in buffer” into your budget so the early months feel more manageable.

At Skipton, we offer a Delayed Start mortgage, which provides breathing room at the beginning of your mortgage. It might be worth exploring whether this could work for you, giving you space to settle in without stretching your finances too thin.

2. Don’t try do everything at once

From surveys to solicitors to removals, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. People often assume they need every service immediately, which can lead to unnecessary spending and rushed decisions.

Slow the process down where you can. It’s completely understandable to want everything done as quickly as possible. buying your first home is an exciting moment. But try to prioritise what genuinely needs doing now versus what can wait a week or two. Taking a calmer, more measured approach usually saves money, time and stress.

3. Build a real world picture of monthly costs, not just the mortgage payment

It’s easy to focus on the monthly mortgage figure, but that’s only one part of the true cost of owning a home. Before you start viewing properties, map out everything you’ll need to budget for, from council tax and utilities to insurance, service charges and the ongoing costs of maintaining your new space. And don’t forget to leave room for the enjoyable things in life, like hobbies, socialising and entertainment. When you understand the full picture, you’ll be able to make offers with far more confidence and avoid stretching yourself further than you intended.

Mental Health Awareness Week is an important reminder that financial wellbeing and mental wellbeing are closely linked. As a building society founded on fairness, we believe in offering clear expectations, support, and transparency to make a real difference to how confident people feel throughout their home-buying journey. If you are looking for more guidance as a first time buyer , you can find more support and practical information at https://www.skipton.co.uk/mortgages/first-time-buyers.”

Notes to Editors:

Statistics referenced in this release are drawn from separate Skipton Building Society consumer research studies, including research into delayed first time buyers (Feb 2026) and women buying alone (Aug 2025).

Skipton Building Society — part of the Skipton Group — exists to help people have a home, save for the future and enjoy long-term financial security, a purpose that has remained unchanged for more than 170 years.

Providing mortgages, savings and financial advice with a network of 82 branches. Skipton was founded on fairness and today supports over one million members through two core businesses: Homes and Money.

Homes is focused on helping people move confidently at every stage of their home buying journey, with a strong commitment to first time buyers through innovation, practical tools and tailored support.

Money helps members build financial confidence, so every Skipton member benefits from access to a complete range of financial advice services. From free savings advice, through to pension planning and regulated investment advice, Skipton is unique on the high street for offering a truly end to end advice proposition. This breadth ensures members receive the right level of support for their needs, at the right time throughout their life.

Skipton Group and Skipton Building Society may, from time to time, wish to share press coverage via their official LinkedIn channels: @SkiptonGroup and @Skipton Building Society.

Any such posts will include full attribution, including the name of the publication, the journalist’s byline (where applicable), and a direct link to the original article on the publisher’s website. Please let us know should you prefer that we do not share specific coverage.

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