Turning Your Stress into an Asset - Dealing with Property Purchase

Follow your dreams. Everything will fall into place.

I believe that one of the biggest issues that cause stress when purchasing a property is the financial issue. People who are about to purchase a property stress about taking a loan and question whether they will be able to pay their repayments for decades on end. They stress about finding what they are looking for within their budget and in the location they prefer. They also stress about whether they have chosen a good location and whether they will have a good relationship with their neighbours. During such process people tend to fall in the pit of over thinking things and excessively worry about all the possible things that can go wrong. They try to plan everything to the detail and make their utmost to gain total control of the process of purchasing the property so that they prevent any hitches along the way.

Individuals might also go into the process with very high expectations about what they are looking for and what they are going to find. Couples purchasing a property together might have different expectations, and if not ironed out, these can result in several arguments thus making this process more stressful than it already is. Legal jargon in contracts and application forms does not make matters easier for people purchasing a property. It triggers a lot of fear and uncertainty, the fear that they are somewhat making a mistake and having to face consequences they haven’t signed for when purchasing the property without being able to go back.

Embarking on the search for a new property can not only pose a lot of stress on the buyers themselves but also on the people around them. It may also trigger anxiety and strong feelings of doubt and insecurity. Buyers might become less focused on day to day activity and they also might become short tempered if quite some time passes and they still can’t find what they are looking for. This behaviour will definitely causes a ripple effect on those around them. People around those purchasing the property might become so emotionally entangled in the situation that they will become unable to give unbiased opinions or advice on the matter in question. They may also find it uncomfortable to get involved in the situation because either they don’t wish to side with any party involved in the purchasing process when an argument takes place or they do not want to be blamed if maybe the wrong decision is taken.

Not every type of stress is harmful. What is known as ‘good’ stress, makes people perform better. Good stress is also known as ‘eustress’ in psychological terms and as expressed above it is beneficial to the individual. One way of changing bad stress into good stress is by treating the purchasing of a property as a project not a chore. Get excited about it! Imagine how it would look like once it belongs to you! Plan it out and play around with different possibilities in order to make it feel like your home not your property. Exercise is also the key for turning bad stress into a good one. Go for a walk or go to the gym or a class so you can burn some steam. You might see this task from a different perspective once you have worked out. Bad stress is usually turned into good stress by the way we think about it, the way our mind perceives the situation. Try to make a list of those negative thoughts that haunt you about purchasing a property and find a way to come up with a positive thought which counters the negative one. Identify your strengths and convince yourself that you are very much prepared for this challenge.

Apart from the above, one can definitely talk and confide in a trusted individual, being your partner, your family, your friends and even your agent. Seek reassurance from these people, do not bury your worries in your head and let them cook. People around you can give you their unbiased opinion and feelings which might help you ease the stress you might be currently feeling. Secondly, trust your gut feeling and keep your self-doubt in check. Try and tell yourself over and over that your decision to purchase this property is the right one. There will definitely be some downs along the way but you are strong enough to deal with them in the best possible ways. Finally, meet up with a family member or a friend and enjoy the moment without worrying about the what ifs when purchasing a property. Enjoy the moment and do not think about it for some time. You will look back in the future and realize that this was another hurdle that you managed to overcome.

When thinking of purchasing a property it is very important to do your financial homework well beforehand and set priorities. Discuss your worries with those around you and try to be open to suggestions, advice and different perspectives on your project. Get ready to make compromises if you are buying a property with a partner. Both might have these ideal mental images of what they are looking for and you might not always find what you are seeking. Trust your gut feeling. If a property does not sit right with you, do not allow anyone to pressure you to buy it. Do not rush in making this very important decision. For most, purchasing a property is a lifelong investment so try to make sure that what you are purchasing suits you and your needs. Do not look at properties which are over your budget. This might create more stress and anxiety especially if you decide to still buy it knowing that you are not able to afford it. This can also trigger feelings of helplessness, disappointment and lack of self worth especially if you fall in love with such property and not being able to afford buying it. And finally be patient. You might need to look at quite a few houses before you find the right one. Don’t give up. Give it time. You will feel the right one when you step in it.

Stress, like anxiety, has become very common and people throw these words around frequently. Casually speaking, stress is the feeling people experience when they are overwhelmed and feel unable to cope with the demands they face in life. As explained above, there is ‘good stress’ and ‘bad stress’. Good stress is a motivator and helps us feel alive and happy. Bad stress on the other hand, triggers several negative feelings and emotions. Side effects of bad stress can be physical and psychological. Usually people who feel stressed out suffer from high blood pressure, severe headaches, lack of sleep and reduced appetite amongst others. Stress also triggers anxiety and feelings of helplessness and not being good enough. Stress is triggered by change which is also a step into the unknown. People will wonder whether they will be able to cope with this change and having no experience in buying a new property for example does not make matters any easier.

Always remember that as the saying goes, difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations. When purchasing a property there is no need to rush. Take your time so you can be able to make choices with a clear mind. Allow yourself to dream and enjoy the ride. This experience is the start to realizing your dreams and achieving your goals.