Buying your first home? You deserve a fairer shot

Jen Lloyd, Head of Mortgage Products and Proposition
10 March 2026

Buying your first home is a moment you’ll never forget. But let’s be honest – far too many people are waiting longer than they should to experience this feeling. For years, that first step onto the ladder has been creeping further and further out of reach. And that makes getting started tougher than ever.

We’ve run the numbers* to compare 2025 to the mid-90s – the era of Britpop bands and Euro 96. And the difference? Big.

So – deep breath – let’s do this:

• The average age of recent first-time buyers in England is 34. Back in the mid-90s, it was 29.
• The number of under-25s buying a home has almost collapsed. Three decades ago, around one in four first-time buyers were under 25 (23%). Today, it’s just one in 15 (6%).
• Over half of recent first-time buyers (52%) needed two or more full-time incomes to afford a home – up from 40% in the late 1990s.

And breathe.

I know this sounds grim, but stick with me. There is good news coming.

Before that, though, it’s worth shouting from the rooftops: the odds are stacked against today’s first-time buyers. It’s not a lack of effort. It’s not poor budgeting. It’s not your streaming subscription.

The data makes it clear. The typical amount you need for a deposit has grown much faster than wages. The average first-time buyer deposit is now more than their annual income.

So… where’s the good news?

We carefully track housing affordability across the UK – and there are signs of progress. We forecast buying affordability will improve in the next couple of years. The first-time buyer market has already grown by nearly 40% since 2008/09. We forecast that continuing (although the cost of living is still a headache for everyone).

Plus, when you do buy, the homes themselves tend to be better. Slightly bigger. Better quality. Especially compared to previous generations. Right now, almost 90% of first-time buyer homes meet the Decent Homes Standard – a government measurement of quality.

And finally, as the home buying challenges have changed, so have the solutions.

That’s where we come in.

A fairer shot at getting your first home

At Skipton, we see what an uphill struggle it is to buy your first home. So we’ve created mortgages designed to meet you where you are.

Struggling with a deposit?

If you’re renting, or haven’t owned a property in the UK in the last three years, our Track Record mortgages could be what you need.

Your rental history could help prove you can afford mortgage repayments. It’s available, if you’re 21 or over, with a deposit of less than 5% – or even no deposit at all. You need to show you’ve paid all rent for 12 months in a row, within the last 18 months.

Need to borrow more than your income lets you?

Our Income Booster mortgages let you add up to three extra people onto the mortgage, without making them an owner of the property.

All supporting borrowers must get independent legal advice before applying. Income Booster is a joint mortgage, so all borrowers will share the legal responsibility for paying the mortgage.

Worried about the cost of moving?

Our Delayed Start mortgages offer you breathing room. You can delay your mortgage repayments for up to the first three months (1, 2 or 3 months – depending on the product chosen) after completion.

Interest still builds up from day one. This means you’ll pay more in interest over the term of the mortgage and your monthly repayments will be slightly higher than if you had started paying in month one.

Not sure what fits?

You can combine the delayed start feature with a Track Record or Income Booster mortgage, so they could work for you.

Your first home might feel out of reach, but with our support – you could be closer than you think.

Looking for help saving for your first home?

We’ve got your back here too. We were the first provider to offer a Cash Lifetime ISA (LISA), designed to help you build your deposit.

You can withdraw from the LISA after 12 months from your first payment in to buy a house with a purchase price of up to £450,000. For any other withdrawals before the age of 60, a 25% government withdrawal charge usually applies. This means you’d get back less than you paid in.

T&Cs apply. You need to be between 18 and 39 to apply.

Even better: get £250 cashback when you arrange a mortgage with us using your Skipton Cash Lifetime ISA

If you open a LISA, you become a Skipton member. And our members get more.

Because if you then take out a mortgage with us, you’ll get £250 cashback on completion if you use your Skipton Cash Lifetime ISA. Put it towards moving costs, something for your new place, or just treat yourself during what can be a hectic time. Terms apply, which are included below.

Want to find out more?

Check out our first-time buyer range or speak to a member of the team today on 0345 607 9825.

*Skipton Group Home Affordability Index 2026

Legal disclaimer

The Skipton Group Home Affordability Index is not a benchmark for the purposes of UK Benchmark Regulation, nor for the purposes of any other legislation or regulation. The Skipton Group Home Affordability Index is produced for information purposes only and must not be used or relied upon for commercial purposes or property related decisions. We are not responsible for any decisions made based on this information.

£250 cashback mortgage terms and conditions

Subject to our normal affordability assessment and lending criteria at the time, members with a Skipton Lifetime ISA who are buying their first home with a Skipton mortgage will be eligible for £250 cashback following completion of their mortgage. This offer is only valid for mortgages completed by 30 June 2027. Cashback will be paid for new mortgages where at least one of the applicants is a member with a Skipton Lifetime ISA buying their first home. If the mortgage is in joint names and with another Skipton Cash Lifetime ISA holder, only one cashback amount will be paid. Cashback will only be available once.