A SURPRISING 10% of first time buyers regret buying their first home, according to a survey by www.money.co.uk

The advice website found that first time buyers were suffering from stress, anxiety and depression because of the sacrifices they're making to buy their first home.

Of the 750 new homeowners surveyed:

  • 40% had to move away from their family
  • 1 in 7 moved to a higher crime area
  • Over 25% moved further away from work
  • 10% had to move to a higher flood risk area

Lorna, 35, a first time buyer from Gloucestershire, said: "We really struggled to save up enough deposit, so we moved in with my parents for six months.

"This caused us much stress, but I felt it was worth the sacrifice because I really wanted to live close to my family."

If you are struggling to save enough for a house deposit there are lots of ways you could boost your savings.

Home buying tips from www.money.co.uk include:

Check how much you could borrow before you start looking at properties. This way you'll know how much you can afford and what you need to save as a deposit. 

Research Government schemes which are designed to help you afford your first home. The Help to Buy scheme offers an interest free loan for five years towards new-build properties.

The bigger your deposit the better the deal you'll get and the more you'll be able to afford. It might be worth holding on for as long as you can and saving up before buying in an area that isn't suitable.

Look at getting a Help to Buy ISA which is boosted by free cash from the Government.

Shop around for your mortgage - don't just take one out with your existing bank because you might not get the best deal.