First-time buyers (FTB) borrowed a record amount to get on the property ladder this year. Mortgage lenders loaned £82.8 billion to 390,000 FTBs in the year to September 2025.

This is a 30% increase on the previous 12 months.

Overall FTB borrowing accounted for 20% of all spending in the UK housing market over the same period.

This is the highest proportion since at least 2007, according to Savills’ analysis of data from the Bank of England, HMRC, the Land Registry and its counterparts in other parts of the UK.

The total size of the UK housing market expanded by 14% to £417 billion in the year to September. Despite the sharp increase in activity, total spend is still some way below the record of £521bn in the year to September 2021, during the post lockdown mini housing market boom.

Sheldon Bosley Knight’s sales teams say this record borrowing figure reflects a trend seen locally, albeit with some important nuances. Most agree first-time buyers are increasingly active in their areas.

Stratford-upon-Avon sales manager, Lisa Hunt said affordability remains the key constraint for first-time buyers in places such as Stratford.

She said: “Many are stretching their budgets to secure a foothold, often prioritising smaller terraced homes, apartments, or properties requiring modernisation. We are also seeing greater reliance on joint incomes, family assistance, and longer mortgage terms to bridge the affordability gap.

“That said, demand from first-time buyers has provided welcome support to transaction levels, especially for sellers of entry-level homes. Properties priced realistically and presented well continue to attract strong interest, and in some cases competitive bidding, despite higher mortgage rates than those seen in recent years.

“The fact that first-time buyers now account for a fifth of all housing market spending nationally is significant for Stratford-upon-Avon. It underpins confidence in the market and creates momentum further up the chain, benefiting second-steppers and downsizers alike.

“Overall, while borrowing levels are at record highs, the Stratford market remains balanced. First-time buyers are determined and motivated, but price sensitivity is high, making accurate pricing and expert local guidance more important than ever.”

If you are a first-time buyer and would like expert help and advice to secure your first home, please speak to one of our sales agents and see how they can get you moving.