The cost of buying a first home extends beyond finances, according to research by real estate brokerage Mojo Mortgages.
2026 First-Time Buyer Survey, of 1,000 people First time buyers Across the UK, I have found that many are putting off major life decisions. Some stay in unhappy jobs, postpone starting a family and experience greater stress in their relationships.
More than one in five respondents (22%) said they had stayed, or were still, in a toxic job longer than they wanted to. They said they did this to protect their mortgage eligibility and continue saving for a deposit.
The survey suggests that concerns about maintaining a stable employment history are discouraging some buyers from changing jobs while trying to get a mortgage.
“The fear of losing financial stability or disrupting a deposit box, for many, outweighs their professional well-being,” said Kylie Jackson, director of mortgage sales at Mojo Mortgages. “It’s a trade-off that speaks to the enormous psychological stress of trying to buy in today’s market.”
The survey also found that homebuying stress affects relationships. More than one in six respondents (16%) said saving for a house had caused more arguments with their partner. Another 13% said they stayed in a relationship longer than they wanted because they couldn’t live alone.
The research also found that buyers are postponing their other life plans.
More than a third (37%) said they had rented for longer than expected while saving for a deposit. Nearly one in five (19%) said buying a home had delayed plans to have children. About 9% said that she delayed marriage.
Meanwhile, 15% said they had moved back in with their parents to save money. Among buyers between the ages of 18 and 34, the percentage increased to approximately 17%.
Moving home can provide a financial lifeline, Jackson said. However, she said it was often a “tangible reflection of the independence” of younger buyers.
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