"Buying and selling property is the most stressful experience in modern day life"

A recent poll has revealed that buying and selling property has now hit the top spot for being the most stressful experience in modern day life.  

Interestingly, slow solicitors have been voted the most stressful aspect of selling a property, but is it really all their fault?  We have recently seen reports that that the searches solicitors request when someone buys a property are taking up to six weeks to be returned by one council in the region.  On average, searches take up to two weeks to be returned so this extra month is adding considerably to the stress and frustration for all parties. 

Estate agents did not fare much better with 40% of sellers thinking they could do a better job than an estate agent. 

Wherever the fault lies in these frustrations and delays, if you want to reduce the stress of buying or selling it is always worth taking time to look for a solicitor and estate agent with whom you are happy.  Not only do their fees vary dramatically but so do the services they offer for their fee.  

When choosing your solicitor, make sure that you are talking to the person who will be doing the conveyancing work, rather than an assistant or paralegal.  Estate agents too often have one person conducting valuations and starting the marketing of a property and others to do viewings and feedback so it can be difficult to keep track of who to talk to if you are unhappy or for updates. Make sure you know who your main point of contact is, how often they expect to report back to you and how they will report (email, phone, letter etc.)

THE 10 MOST STRESSFUL EXPERIENCES IN MODERN LIFE

1. Buying or selling a property

2. Relationship break-up/divorce

3. Being made redundant

4. Death of a grandparent

5. Getting the sack

6. Being in debt

7. Starting a new job 

8. Becoming a parent for the first time

9. Planning a wedding

10. Going broke / bankrupt

  

THE 10 MOST STRESSFUL ASPECTS OF SELLING A PROPERTY

1. Slow solicitors

2. The risk of it falling through

3. The huge sums of money at stake

4. All the documentation to complete

5. Endless phone calls

6. The survey

7. Difficult vendors

8. Difficult estate agents

9. Being gazumped at the last minute

10. Disruption caused to your working day

If you would like to discuss buying, selling or letting please call me on 01392 254488 or visit our office on South Street, Exeter.


Data from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2690545/How-buying-house-stressful-bankruptcy-divorce-death-loved-one-according-poll.html#ixzz37RLGuBzY