TSB commissioned a survey of over 1,000 first-time buyers (FTBs) who had bought a property in the past year and found that 80% of them had moved back in with their parents in order to save money for their deposit.
Between 25th-29th July 2025, Censuswide questioned 1,006 first-time buyers who had bought a property in the past year. Some of their key findings are:
- 96% of first-time buyers received financial help for their deposit, with 68% receiving help from family and 57% from friends
- Three-quarters (75%) scaled back on their property to buy in a preferred location
- TSB customer data: the average age of first-time buyers went up to 32 years from 31
- The length of mortgage term drops from 32 to 31 years
- Average deposit across the UK is 18.7%: London is highest at 23%, Wales lowest (13%)
Almost two-fifths (38%) of those questioned said their new home was mostly what they wanted, but with a few compromises. Over one-fifth (22%) said they had purchased their dream home. Almost one-in-10 (9%) said they had made a major compromise and opted for affordability and location.
In their efforts to put a foot on the property ladder, 38% had delayed major purchases, 37% limited their socialising (37%) and 37% took on a second job.
On average, polling showed that first-time buyers saved for almost three (2.95) years; with those in Wales taking the longest to save up (3.39 years) and those in the East Midlands saving up mostly quickly (2.56 years).
The surveyed first-time buyers were, on average, paying £960 a month in rent prior to purchasing their home and as a result of buying their first home, 45% felt financially more secure. Almost two-fifths (39%) felt “relieved.”
Nationally, the average age of first-time buyers is 32, up from 31 in 2024. Regionally, London (34), the South East (33) and East Midlands (33) had the highest average age, with Yorkshire & The Humber recording the lowest (30).
Craig Calder, director of secured lending at TSB, said: “It’s clear that compromise is key to getting on the housing ladder in a preferred location – with most first-time buyers forgoing a dream home but feeling relieved, and more financially secure having made the move.
“Many made sacrifices to meet their deposit targets – such as moving in with parents, and taking a second job. To secure the best deal for your housing and affordability needs, do speak with a broker, or your bank.”
Mary-Lou Press, NAEA Propertymark President, commented: “This has been a growing trend for some time, indicating how expensive it is for first-time buyers to get onto the housing ladder, so much so that they have to make enormous sacrifices and/or depend upon financial help from their relatives just to purchase a property.
“What is needed to make housing more affordable is targeted help, and we are seeing many financial institutions take a lead here with flexible mortgage products, as well as a sustainable supply of new homes that will stabilise supply and demand levels, which can hopefully be achieved by the UK government and the devolved administrations meeting their individual housing targets.”
Tables of TSB customer data from Censuswide survey 25th-29th July 2025.
