First-time patrons made up simply over one in three (34.3%) purchases in January, as falls in mortgage charges have widened the pool of individuals in a position to get on the property ladder, in response to Connells Group.
The property agency, which incorporates manufacturers equivalent to Barnard Marcus, Hamptons, and Bairstow Eves, mentioned the share of first-time purchaser gross sales agreed throughout Britain in January 2026 is the best it has recorded within the month of January since its information began 20 years in the past.
Aneisha Beveridge, analysis director at Connells Group, mentioned: “After a reasonably sluggish finish to 2025 – not helped by the autumn price range casting a shadow over shopping for selections – the brand new 12 months has introduced a shift in tone.
“January began quietly, partly attributable to how the vacations fell, however momentum constructed because the month progressed.”
She mentioned that first-time patrons have benefited from falling mortgage charges, “notably the place increased loan-to-value merchandise have turn out to be extra competitively priced”.
Ms Beveridge added: “That’s widened the pool of individuals in a position to purchase, and we’re additionally seeing extra new purchasers shorten their mortgage time period – a shift that may ship substantial long-run financial savings.”
She mentioned: “Rising first-time purchaser numbers also needs to assist assist total transaction ranges this 12 months, particularly at a time when current householders are transferring much less typically.
“And since many of those purchasers are presently renting, a gentle transition into house possession may gently ease strain within the lettings market, taking somewhat of the warmth out of rents if the development continues.”
The analysis indicated that decrease borrowing prices are additionally enabling some new patrons to shorten their mortgage phrases.
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In January, 52% of first-time patrons opted for a mortgage lasting greater than 30 years, in contrast with 55% a 12 months earlier and 60% in 2023, Connells Group mentioned.
However Ms Beveridge mentioned that mortgage prices “aren’t the one barrier to homeownership”, including: “Transaction prices – notably stamp obligation – stay a major deterrent for a lot of current householders, which means these structural constraints are prone to preserve a lid on mover exercise at the same time as situations slowly enhance.”
The property agency’s figures indicated that just about half of agreed gross sales in London in January have been made to first-time patrons.
Nevertheless it mentioned this energy partly displays increased transaction prices equivalent to stamp obligation performing as a brake on transferring exercise in London for current householders, at the same time as housing market situations slowly enhance.
The figures have been launched as separate analysis, commissioned by L&C Mortgages, indicated that greater than 9 in 10 (91%) debtors aged 18 to 34 mentioned they have been charged a dealer charge when taking mortgage recommendation.
This in contrast with 64% of these aged 45 to 54, and simply 42% of debtors aged over 55, in response to the survey, carried out by Censuswide amongst 1,000 householders in December 2025 and January 2026.
David Hollingworth, affiliate director at L&C Mortgages, mentioned: “Many youthful patrons are already scuffling with deposits, transferring prices and rising residing bills.”
Listed below are the shares of agreed gross sales made by first-time patrons in January 2025, adopted by January 2026, in response to information from Connells Group:
London, 48.3%, 48.3%
West Midlands, 37.5%, 39.8%
East of England, 39.0%, 39.5%
East Midlands, 30.4%, 34.9%
South East, 28.8%, 34.9%
South West, 33.2%, 31.9%
North West, 31.7%, 29.9%
Scotland, 30.7%, 28.7%
Wales, 24.9%, 27.0%
North East, 23.0%, 21.7%
Yorkshire and the Humber, 25.9%, 21.7%
