First-time buyers in England are getting older, with the South East recording the highest average age of 34, according to new research analysing over 39,000 property transactions from the first half of each year between 2021 and 2025.
The study by My Home Move Conveyancing reveals significant regional differences in the age of first-time buyers across England.
Regional trends in buyer age
The South East has seen a near three-year jump in average buyer age since 2021, reaching 34, the highest in the country. In contrast, the East Midlands has seen a small decline to around 31 years, while the North West saw the average age rise from roughly 30 to 32. The North East also stands out for bucking the ageing trend, with younger buyers on average.
Areas with soaring property prices, such as the South East and London, push aspiring owners into delayed homeownership, with higher deposits and costs requiring lengthier saving periods. This contrasts with more affordable pockets like County Durham, where lower house prices enable younger buyers to make their first purchase earlier.
Reasons behind the shift
Alistair Singer, director at My Home Move Conveyancing, explained the reasons behind the data. 'The gradual increase in first-time buyer age over the past decade reflects the changing property market and how the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect this landscape,' he said. He added that buyers are increasingly adopting strategic approaches — saving for longer, carefully timing their market entry — rather than abandoning their homeownership aspirations altogether.
The latest data available from Rightmove shows the average price of a newly listed home now stands at £371,015 in October 2026, up from £344,445 in October 2021. 'The average two-year fixed mortgage rate has risen to 5.55%, from 5.29% last month and 4.25% before the war in Iran started, adding around £250 a month to the cost of a typical new mortgage since February,' the home listing site states.
TSB Bank reports a decline in first-time buyers relying on family gifts — the so-called 'Bank of Mum and Dad' — from 34% in early 2024 to 30% in 2025. This trend indicates that new buyers may be increasingly self-funding their deposit, naturally meaning some will be forced to wait longer before picking up their first keys.
Hotspot bucking the trend
Despite being in the pricey south of England, Harlow in Essex has been identified as the UK's fastest-growing hotspot for first-time buyers over the past 10 years. Since 2015, first-time buyer mortgage applications here have risen by 87%, the steepest increase of any local authority throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
Given that Harlow sits within easy reach of the capital, but the average home sells for almost half, it's a natural choice for budget-conscious commuters. According to Rightmove, homes in Harlow sold for an average of £351,911 over the last year — a whole lot less than the London figure of £656,665. Prices in the area have remained stable compared to the previous year, increasing by about 2%, but were slightly lower than the 2022 peak of £349,579.
