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For many, buying their first home remains an exciting milestone, however the path to homeownership has evolved. Over the past decade, the average age of first-time buyers has steadily risen, driven by shifting economic conditions and stricter lending criteria that demand higher income thresholds for mortgage approval.
While the current economic landscape presents challenges, with UK house prices averaging £269,000, first-time buyers are meeting the challenge with resilience and creativity. Some are exploring other solutions, whether it’s extending their saving periods, using shared ownership schemes, considering different locations, or pooling resources with family members to bridge the gap between earnings and housing costs.
To understand how this trend is evolving, we analysed over 39,000 of our property transactions from the first half of each year from 2021 to 2025 across England, exploring how getting onto the property ladder is affecting different parts of the country.
Average First-Time Buyer Age (H1 2021- 2025)
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South East & London: Property prices continue pushing buyer age higher
The South East saw the biggest jump in first-time buyers getting onto the property ladder, from 31 years old to 34 over the last four years.
The region’s coastal appeal and rural lifestyle have long attracted retirees and second-home owners, as well as being a popular place for London commuters to relocate to.
Surprisingly, London recorded an average first-time buyer age of 32 years during the same timeframe. Often thought of as a challenging location to get onto the property ladder, more young professionals are making property purchases.
Although the average first-time buyer’s age remains relatively static at 32, the market potentially shows improvements in accessibility. Whether it’s through shared ownership programmes or First Homes schemes, it’s clear to see that London’s average first-time buyer age remains stable.
Over in the South West, the area is becoming increasingly popular. Home to some of England’s best backdrops in Cornwall, Dorset and Devon, the area remains among the country’s most expensive, with average house prices often exceeding £400,000.
How the buyer age is changing in the North
While the North of England is often regarded as being more affordable than the South, it has also experienced an increase in the average buyer age.
For example, in the North West, the average age for first-time buyers getting onto the property ladder was just under 30 in 2021, but it’s now risen to 32 years and nine months.
This dramatic price difference means similar deposits and income can stretch much further, allowing younger buyers to enter the market earlier. Government schemes like the Northern Powerhouse have also helped northern cities to benefit economically, providing more attractive opportunities for wage growth.
City centres across the North East, including Sunderland, have launched ambitious regeneration projects aimed at revitalising communities, boosting housing supply, creating jobs, and improving quality of life. Initiatives such as these may help to attract young professionals who can afford to buy rather than rent.
Midlands first-time buyers get younger on average
Buyer age across both the East and West Midlands seems to have dropped over the last four years. In the East, first-time buyer age has dropped by a year and eight months since 2021, and in the West, age has dropped by six months in the the same period.
The property market in the East Midlands continues to see consistent growth, with the region's easy access to the M1 and transport links making it a favourable location.
Cities such as Nottingham, Leicester, and Derby offer affordable housing for young buyers and growing employment opportunities. With its blend of urban affordability and rural appeal, the region has become a magnet for younger professionals priced out of southern markets.
How the market has changed in the last year
Average First-Time Buyer Age 2024 vs 2025 (H1)
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If you’re looking to get on the property ladder, where you live really may make a difference. In the South East and South West, the average age of first-time buyers has jumped by more than one and a half years since 2024, meaning people are having to wait even longer to buy their first home. Meanwhile, in the North East, the opposite is happening: the average age has actually dropped by almost two years, indicating that getting a foothold on the ladder is still a bit easier there.
In the North, you can still find homes starting around £185,000, while in the South East, prices often double that. These shifts over the last year highlight the ongoing north-south divide in the property market, with buyers in the North generally enjoying slightly better chances to get their first home.
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