Buying a home can feel like climbing Mount Admin – Kate Lucey shares how she stayed on top of her own property purchase while keeping the joy alive

OK, there’s no getting around the fact that buying a property and then complaining about how stressful it was is a little like saying “my money’s too heavy for my pocket” – but I like to think that I’m a pretty unflappable gal and wow, buying a property can push you to your limits.

Yes, get the violins out to accompany my story of house-buying. Reach for the tissues and solemnly say “oh, she’s really been through it” as I detail the emotional turmoil of what feels like a pipe dream for a lot of us. But look, there’s no denying that there’s potential for a lot of stress and tension to come along with the whole house-buying rigamarole – after all, it’s hard to be totally chill about parting with the largest amount of money you’ve ever had.