London first-time buyer levels remain relatively high as national first-time buyer levels drop below 1 in 4
Rightmove’ Q1 First-Time Buyer Report finds that the proportion of buyers intending to purchase for the first time over the year ahead in London now stands at 38.6%. These levels buck the national average of 22.8% as better access to wealth and greater fluidity in the London market means that first-time buyers in the capital are more active. Nationally, prospective first-time buyer levels dropped from 25.5% in the final quarter of 2010, to just 22.8% in Q1 2011. This is the second lowest figure Rightmove has ever recorded, just marginally above the 22.2% reported in Q3 of last year.
Rightmove also finds that mortgage challenges are the main factors supressing first-time buyer levels as more than half of respondents stated that their single biggest concern was a
mortgage-related issue. Our survey found that 44% of first-time buyers cite ‘raising enough deposit’, and a further 10% ‘meeting monthly mortgage repayments’, as their principle
housing concern. These are timely and concerning figures given the imminent mortgage lending summit called by the Government to look into the plight of first-time buyers.
Miles Shipside, director of Rightmove comments: “The level of first-time buyers is a big concern for the property market with only London seeing healthy levels . The desirable level of first-time buyers for a healthy market is typically around 40% of all buyers, almost double the current level, as they perform a vital function in completing chains and aiding fluidity throughout the housing ladder.”
The difficulties of those looking to own a roof over their heads for the first time is highlighted by the decreasing proportion of first-time buyers purchasing alone, leading our
survey to record its highest ever level of those buying with a partner or spouse. This has increased from 62.1% in our Q4 2009 survey to 72.5% in Q1 2011, while the proportion
buying on their own has dropped over the same period from 32.7% to 25.5%.
Shipside adds: “They say that home is where the heart is, and finding love seems to be the only path available for many of today’s generation of first-time buyers as mortgage lending and the economic downturn mean that buying alone is becoming less viable. While lenders so far haven’t budged in finding solutions for first-time buyers, it is the buyers themselves that are adjusting to market conditions by coupling-up in their pursuit of home ownership.”
London first-time buyer levels remain relatively high as national first-time buyer levels drop below 1 in 4
– Proportion of first-time buyers set to enter the London market recorded at just under 40%, significantly ahead of the national average of 22.8%
– More than half of first-time buyers cite mortgage-related issues as their single biggest challenge in getting a foothold on property ladder
– Will coupling-up soon be the only way to get on the ladder? First-time buyers purchasing with partner/spouse now account for almost three-quarters of those entering the market
Rightmove’ Q1 First-Time Buyer Report finds that the proportion of buyers intending to purchase for the first time over the year ahead in London now stands at 38.6%. These levels buck the national average of 22.8% as better access to wealth and greater fluidity in the London market means that first-time buyers in the capital are more active. Nationally, prospective first-time buyer levels dropped from 25.5% in the final quarter of 2010, to just 22.8% in Q1 2011. This is the second lowest figure Rightmove has ever recorded, just marginally above the 22.2% reported in Q3 of last year.
Rightmove also finds that mortgage challenges are the main factors supressing first-time buyer levels as more than half of respondents stated that their single biggest concern was a
mortgage-related issue. Our survey found that 44% of first-time buyers cite ‘raising enough deposit’, and a further 10% ‘meeting monthly mortgage repayments’, as their principle
housing concern. These are timely and concerning figures given the imminent mortgage lending summit called by the Government to look into the plight of first-time buyers.
Miles Shipside, director of Rightmove comments: “The level of first-time buyers is a big concern for the property market with only London seeing healthy levels . The desirable level of first-time buyers for a healthy market is typically around 40% of all buyers, almost double the current level, as they perform a vital function in completing chains and aiding fluidity throughout the housing ladder.”
The difficulties of those looking to own a roof over their heads for the first time is highlighted by the decreasing proportion of first-time buyers purchasing alone, leading our
survey to record its highest ever level of those buying with a partner or spouse. This has increased from 62.1% in our Q4 2009 survey to 72.5% in Q1 2011, while the proportion
buying on their own has dropped over the same period from 32.7% to 25.5%.
Shipside adds: “They say that home is where the heart is, and finding love seems to be the only path available for many of today’s generation of first-time buyers as mortgage lending and the economic downturn mean that buying alone is becoming less viable. While lenders so far haven’t budged in finding solutions for first-time buyers, it is the buyers themselves that are adjusting to market conditions by coupling-up in their pursuit of home ownership.”
