Rising Age of First-Time Buyers in England
The average age of first-time buyers in England has increased to 34, according to new research highlighting the growing challenges faced by individuals attempting to enter the housing market.
Skipton Group's annual home affordability index has documented a steady rise in barriers since the mid-1990s, a period when the average age of first-time buyers was 29.
This upward trend in average age is largely attributed to a significant decline in the proportion of first-time buyers under the age of 25, which has dropped to just 6%. In contrast, this demographic accounted for approximately 25% of first-time buyers during the 1990s.
Skipton Group chief executive Stuart Haire said the results showed "the aspiration of homeownership has been pushed further out of reach for many younger adults, delaying independence and stability".
Changes in First-Time Buyer Circumstances
Research conducted by Skipton Group, the parent company of Skipton Building Society, also reveals notable shifts in the financial circumstances of first-time buyers.
Currently, over half of first-time buyers require two incomes to afford a home purchase, a rise from 40% in the 1990s.
Additionally, first-time buyers are expected to provide larger deposits and are committing to longer mortgage terms. More than 50% of first-time buyers now enter into mortgage agreements lasting 30 years or more. The average deposit has increased to approximately 10% above an individual’s annual salary.
Support from family has become more prominent, with nearly one-third of deposits funded through family gifts and close to 10% coming from inheritance. Despite this, the majority of home deposits still originate from personal savings.
Regional Variations in Housing Affordability
While challenges in entering the housing market are widespread, affordability varies significantly across different regions of Great Britain.
At the close of 2025, the most affordable areas to reside were East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, and Aberdeenshire, with nine out of the ten most affordable locations situated in Scotland. Harborough, located in the East Midlands, ranked tenth among the most affordable areas.
Conversely, the least affordable areas were concentrated in London, with Hackney, Westminster, and Tower Hamlets occupying the top three positions. All ten of the least affordable areas were within London.
Positive Trends in the Housing Market
The report also identified encouraging developments within the housing market. Due to changes over recent decades, buyers today are more likely to acquire larger, higher-quality homes that are more cost-effective to maintain than at any other time this century.
Furthermore, there has been an increase in the number of first-time buyers purchasing houses rather than flats, indicating a shift in property preferences.
