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3 min read
Phil Spencer MBE Founder Move iQ

Is Buying Your First Home Getting Harder? The Latest Affordability Data

Buying your first home has long been seen as a milestone of independence, but for many people today, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to reach.

New insights from the latest affordability index from Skipton Building Society paints a clear picture: while homeownership is still achievable, the path to getting there is longer, more complex, and often requires more support than ever before.

In this guide, we break down what’s really happening and, more importantly, how you can navigate it.

The reality: first-time buyers are facing bigger hurdles than ever

Over the past few decades, the profile of a first-time buyer has changed dramatically.

Recent data shows:

  • The average first-time buyer age has risen from 29 to 34
  • The number of buyers under 25 has fallen sharply
  • More than half now rely on two full-time incomes
  • Around one in three receive financial help from family
  • Many are taking on mortgages lasting 30 years or more
  • Deposits now often equal a full year of household income

In short, buying your first home isn’t just about saving; it’s about navigating a far more demanding financial landscape than previous generations faced.

Why affordability has become such a challenge

There’s no single reason; it’s a combination of pressures:

Rising deposits vs slower wage growth

House prices and deposit requirements have increased faster than incomes, making it harder to save while renting.

Higher cost of living

Energy bills, food prices and everyday expenses reduce how much people can put aside each month.

Changing buyer dynamics

Where once single incomes were more common, today many buyers need dual incomes just to meet affordability criteria.

Delayed life milestones

As a result, buying a home and everything that comes with it is happening later in life.

It’s not all bad news: there are signs of improvement

Despite the challenges, there are some positive signals.

Affordability is expected to improve slightly over the next few years, with forecasts suggesting that around 125,000 more households could be in a position to buy by 2028.

There are also some unexpected upsides:

  • First homes today are often larger and higher quality
  • Around 90% meet modern living standards
  • Buyers are more likely to purchase houses rather than buying flats

But, and it’s an important but, affordability challenges aren’t going away anytime soon. Many buyers will still find the journey difficult, particularly with ongoing uncertainty around interest rates and living costs.

What does this mean if you’re trying to buy your first home

If you’re feeling like it’s harder than it “should” be, you’re not imagining it.

The process now often involves:

  • Longer saving periods
  • More financial planning
  • Exploring different routes to ownership
  • Understanding mortgages in greater depth

The key difference today isn’t just cost – it’s complexity.

How Move iQ is helping first-time buyers navigate the journey

At Move iQ, we recognise that while the dream of owning a home is still alive, the route to getting there has changed.

That’s why we’ve created practical, jargon-free guidance to help you at every stage – from saving your deposit to securing a mortgage and completing your purchase.

Our First Home Focus YouTube channel, in collaboration with Skipton Building Society, is designed specifically for first-time buyers and covers:

  • How much deposit do you really need
  • Ways to boost your affordability
  • Understanding mortgage options
  • Tips to improve your chances of approval
  • What to expect throughout the buying process

The goal isn’t to sell, it’s to help you make informed decisions with confidence.

The bottom line: it’s harder, but not impossible

The data is clear: buying your first home today is more challenging than it was for previous generations.

But it’s not out of reach.

With the right information, realistic expectations, and a clear plan, many buyers are still successfully getting onto the property ladder.

And that’s where trusted guidance makes all the difference.

Start your journey with confidence

If you’re thinking about buying your first home or even just starting to explore the idea, taking that first step can feel overwhelming.

You don’t need to figure it all out on your own.

Explore our First Home Focus content on YouTube and Move iQ for straightforward advice designed to help you move forward with clarity.

First Home Focus

Last Updated: April 1st, 2026