Published 28th May 2026, 11:45 BST
The study of more than 2,000 people across the UK found Yorkshire residents reported the least stressful experiences of any region during the homebuying process, despite wider national concerns over rising costs and confusing mortgage terminology.
Almost a third of Yorkshire respondents, 29 per cent, said they did not dread any aspect of purchasing a property – the highest percentage recorded across all regions surveyed and well above the national average of 24 per cent.
More than a fifth, 21 per cent, also said they did not find any aspect of buying a home difficult, giving Yorkshire the second highest score in the UK behind Wales at 23 per cent.
However, among individual cities, Plymouth and Sheffield reported the highest stress levels from moving home – 56 per cent and 53 per cent respectively.
The findings from Yorkshire stand in contrast to the national picture, where nearly half of homeowners, 48 per cent, described moving house as more stressful than a divorce or romantic breakup.
More than a third, 35 per cent, also said buying a home itself ranked among life’s most stressful experiences.
Yorkshire buyers also appeared more financially informed than many elsewhere in the UK.
The survey found 29 per cent of respondents in the region understood all mortgage-related terms clearly, suggesting many buyers felt more confident navigating the process.
Nationally, however, mortgage jargon remains a major hurdle. Almost a third of respondents said they struggled to understand different mortgage types, while 39 per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds found equity-related terms confusing. A further 38 per cent said they did not fully understand the concept of an agreement in principle.
The research also highlighted the hidden financial pressures of moving home. Across the UK, homeowners reported spending an average of £1,836 on unexpected moving costs, excluding deposits. Costs were highest in London at £2,041 and Belfast at £2,033.
L&G’s findings revealed a significant generational divide in understanding the homebuying process. Nearly half of over-55s, 45 per cent, said they were aware of all moving costs, compared with just 12 per cent of young millennials aged 25 to 34 and 14 per cent of Gen Z buyers aged 18 to 24.
Younger homeowners were also more likely to underestimate day-to-day expenses after moving, with 40 per cent of young millennials saying utility bills were higher than expected.
Despite the challenges, many buyers still reported feeling confident overall. Nationally, 63 per cent said they felt confident when buying their first home, including one in five who described themselves as “very confident”.
Clare Beardmore, director of Mortgage Club at L&G, said: “Buying your first home is a major milestone, but our research shows it can feel overwhelming, particularly when faced with unexpected costs and unfamiliar mortgage terminology.
“That’s where advisers play such a key role in helping buyers navigate the homebuying process with confidence, ensuring they make informed decisions when arranging a mortgage and have the right protection in place.”