The average age of a first-time buyer in the UK
First-time buyers have plenty of reasons to be more optimistic about the property market. Mortgage rates continue to fall and many lenders are loosening their affordability criteria, potentially making the path to homeownership more achievable for many.
Yet there are still challenges for first-time buyers to overcome, including increased Stamp Duty thresholds and how to save a large enough deposit.
To help give you a clearer picture of the first-time buyer landscape, we've analysed our internal data to reveal the average age of first-time buyers, regional differences, typical deposit amounts, mortgage totals, and average mortgage terms.
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Author - Aidan Darrall Editor - Stuart Bowman
Last reviewed on 13th August 2025
Key statistics
The national average age of a first-time buyer in the UK is 32 years and 7 months.
Of all UK regions, those in the South East join the property ladder the latest in life - averaging 34 years and 4 months with Londoners joining the property ladder at 34 years and 1 month.
Comparatively, first-time buyers in Scotland tend to join the property ladder earliest in life, averaging 30 years and 11 months.
Today, the average first-time buyer isn't expected to be mortgage-free until they are 62 years and 10 months old.
The average mortgage term that a first-time buyer chooses is 30 years.
Those in Wales have the lowest average deposit (£26,859) and mortgage total (£164,425) for first-time buyers, making it one of the more accessible regions for those joining the property ladder.
First-time buyers are getting younger every year - a sign that the property market is becoming more accessible.
The average age of a first-time buyer: 32 years, 7 months old
The path to homeownership has been particularly challenging in recent years. Our latest data sheds light on the journey of today’s first-time buyers.
By analysing every first-time buyer mortgage we've processed over the past twelve months as an online mortgage broker, we’ve discovered that the average age of a first-time buyer is 32 years and 7 months.
This milestone age reflects the ongoing difficulties young adults face in saving for a home. Furthermore, our recent research into the average deposit amount revealed that in 2025, the average deposit for first-time buyers was a hefty £59,209, with the average mortgage amounting to £234,292.
There’s good news, though - first-time buyers are getting on the property ladder a few months younger than they were last year. This could be a sign that, slowly but surely, buyer confidence is bouncing back. Over the last 12 months, the average age of a first-time buyer was 32 years and 7 months compared to the 12 months prior, when buyers were stepping onto the property ladder aged 32 years and 10 months.
“It’s been a tough time for first-time buyers recently, with stagnant wages and higher living expenses making it increasingly difficult to set aside money for a deposit. These obstacles collectively push the average age of a first-time buyer higher, delaying the dream of homeownership for many.
That said, there’s potentially good news on the horizon. Mortgage rates are finally starting to fall following three Bank of England base rate cuts in 2025 so far, and lenders are continuing to review their affordability criteria with the goal to make mortgages more accessible for first-time buyers.”
John Fraser-Tucker, Head of Mortgages
How the average first-time buyer age varies by UK region
While our internal data shows that the average age of a first-time buyer is 32 years and seven months, this figure can vary significantly depending on the area.
Here is the ranking of regions from the youngest to the oldest average first-time buyer age, along with the corresponding deposit and mortgage totals discovered by our own internal research.
Region | Average applicant age | average deposit | average loan size |
|---|---|---|---|
Wales | 31 years, 11 months | £26,859 | £164,425 |
North East | 31 years, 2 months | £28,590 | £171,369 |
North West | 31 years | £37,221 | £179,191 |
Northern Ireland | 32 years, 8 months | £48,085 | £152,215 |
East of England | 33 years, 5 months | £61,426 | £236,412 |
East Midlands | 31 years, 8 months | £37,307 | £177,023 |
Scotland | 30 years, 11 months | £44,825 | £171,445 |
South West | 32 years | £56,783 | £228,362 |
South East | 34 years, 4 months | £63,470 | £258,186 |
West Midlands | 33 years | £37,482 | £194,116 |
London | 34 years, 1 month | £110,716 | £351,978 |
First-time buyers in Scotland get on the property ladder the earliest, at 30 years, 11 months.
In this region, the average first-time buyer saves a 21% deposit (£44,825) and secures a mortgage of £171,445.
Following closely are first-time buyers in the North West, who typically purchase their first home at an average age of 31 years old — just one month later than their Scottish counterparts. However, they manage to save a lower deposit percentage at 17% (£37,221).
The average first-time buyer in London joins the property ladder at 34 years,1 month.
On the other end of the spectrum is London and the South East. Our internal data reveals that the average first-time buyer in the capital purchases their first property at 34 years and 1 month old, which is over three years later than in Scotland.
One of the biggest hurdles for first-time buyers in London is saving for a deposit, which is naturally more challenging in the UK’s capital. In London, the average first-time buyer saves £110,716, more than four times the lowest deposit of £26,859 in Wales.
Those in the South East face a similar challenge, on average saving 20% (£63,470) of their property value for their first home.
Another hurdle is that the City of London has the second-highest mortgage-to-salary ratio in the UK. Our recent research found that an aspiring solo homeowner on the average salary (£60,000) would have to borrow 15 times their salary to purchase an average-priced house in London, or 7 times if it’s a joint application
When UK first-time buyers are expected to be mortgage-free
Our recent mortgage term research revealed a concerning trend: a surge in first-time buyers choosing mortgages with 30+ year terms that they’ll still be paying off into retirement. In fact, 69% of our first-time buyer customers chose a mortgage term of over 30 years.
Combining this statistic with the average age of a first-time buyer, it appears that they won't be mortgage-free until they're 62 years and 10 months old.
However, the age can differ depending on the region that the first-time buyer resides in. The following table is in order of the oldest predicted age of being mortgage-free to the youngest, and is based on our internal data for mortgage applications from the last twelve months:
Region | Average age of a first-time buyer | Average mortgage term | Predicted age of being mortgage-free |
East Midlands | 31 years, 8 months | 31 years | 62 years, 11 months |
East of England | 33 years, 5 months | 30 years | 64 years |
London | 34 years, 1 month | 30 years | 64 years, 8 months |
North East | 31 years, 2 months | 30 years | 61 years, 4 months |
North West | 31 years | 30 years | 61 years, 6 months |
Northern Ireland | 32 years, 8 months | 30 years | 63 years, 8 months |
Scotland | 30 years, 11 months | 29 years | 60 years, 2 months |
South East | 34 years, 4 months | 30 years | 64 years, 8 months |
South West | 32 years | 30 years | 62 years, 6 months |
Wales | 31 years, 11 months | 30 years | 62 years, 1 month |
West Midlands | 33 years | 30 years | 63 years, 2 months |
London and the South East stand out as the regions where first-time buyers face the longest path to mortgage freedom. The average person in London or the South East buys their first home at over 34 years old, with a 30-year mortgage term, meaning they won't be mortgage-free until they're 64 years and 8 months old.
The East of England follows closely behind, with first-time buyers in the region expected to pay off their mortgages at 64 years old.
At the other end of the spectrum, Scotland has the youngest average age for first-time buyers at 30 years and 11 months old. With an average mortgage term of 29 years, Scottish first-time buyers can expect to be mortgage-free when they’re just over 60, the earliest among all UK regions.
Extending your mortgage by 10 years can cost you an extra £86,958
John Fraser-Tucker, the Head of Mortgages at Mojo Mortgages said: “Our research has found with the current average mortgage rate for a 2-year fix (90% LTV) at 4.6%, the total cost of an average-priced house for first-time buyers (£293,501) varies significantly on the loan term.
“For a 25-year term on a £264,151 mortgage, the total mortgage cost would be £474,331, which includes the principal amount and interest charges. However, if you extend the loan term to 35 years, the same house will cost an additional £86,958, bringing the total cost to £561,289.”
Five savvy ways to save for your first home faster
If you aspire to join the property ladder as soon as possible, there are a few strategies that may help you save a deposit in a shorter period:
1. Open a Lifetime ISA to gain £1,000 per year for free
The Lifetime ISA (LISA) allows people aged 18-39 to transfer up to £4,000 per year into this account, which is then topped up by 25% (so £1,000 if you maximise the £4,000 savings) by the government for free. The longer you contribute to a Lifetime ISA, the more free money you’ll receive from the government, so make sure to open one ASAP.
2. Automate your savings
Automating your savings from your current account to a dedicated savings account is an easy way to build up a deposit for a house. If the money automatically moves on payday, you’ll hardly notice it.
For example, if you transfer £300 out of your bank account on payday, this equates to £3,600 over a year, or £18,000 over five years. Many banks allow you to automate your savings, but if yours doesn’t, there are plenty of “automatic savings” apps out there.
3. Sign up for the First Homes Scheme to save up to £70,000
The government offers a First Homes Scheme where first-time buyers can buy a property for 30-50% cheaper than its market value
According to the government, this can mean an average saving of up to £70,000, making homeownership much more accessible.
Note that there are eligibility requirements: it’s only open to first-time buyers in England, and the purchasers must have a household income of less than £80,000 (or £90,000 in London).
4. Consider a Shared Ownership scheme to reduce mortgage payments
Shared ownership schemes, such as those offered by housing associations, allow first-time buyers to purchase a share of a property (typically between 25% and 75%) and pay rent on the remaining share. This can provide a more affordable entry point into homeownership and reduce the amount you need to save for a deposit.
5. Seek professional advice to get the best mortgage rate for you
Consult with an experienced mortgage advisor to help guide you through the home-buying process, help you understand your borrowing capacity, and identify suitable mortgages for first-time buyers.
At Mojo Mortgages, we understand the unique challenges faced by first-time buyers, and our experienced mortgage advisors are here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to explore your options and take the first step towards achieving your homeownership dreams.
By making the most of these strategies, you might be able to join the property ladder earlier than you expected.
Methodology
The average age of a first-time buyer
To reveal the average age of a first-time buyer, we analysed our internal data of all mortgage applications between 29 July 2024 and 28 July 2025.
The cost of extending your mortgage term
We inputted the following data into an online mortgage calculator, correct as of 9th August 2025.
Average mortgage rate for a 2 Year Fixed 90% LTV Resi: 4.6% (our internal data)
Average house price: £293,501 (our internal data)
The average deposit and mortgage total
All data taken from Mojo Mortgages’ internal customer data, with deposit and mortgage amount stats covering the period from 1 January 2025 to 24 April 2025.