Single first-time buyers unable to afford 75% of homes using mortgage guarantee scheme
  • New analysis using the latest earnings data from ONS shows single first-time buyers on the average salary could not afford to use the government's 95% mortgage guarantee scheme on three quarters of properties in the typical first-time buyer market
  • In London, a single first-time buyer on an average London salary could afford only 2% of properties using this 5% deposit scheme, compared to 67% of properties for those in the North East:
    • Westminster, Islington & Camden top the list of areas where a single first-time buyer could afford the smallest proportion of typical first-time buyer homes for sale on the average salary
  • Options to use the scheme greatly open up for those buying with a partner, friend or family member, with 70% of first-time buyer properties in Great Britain within the affordability limit of the average two-person income
  • With rumours that the government is considering extending the mortgage guarantee scheme, Rightmove suggests more options could be considered to help people buying on their own to get on the property ladder

The UK's biggest property website Rightmove reveals that single first-time buyers on an average salary and with a 5% deposit could not afford three-quarters of properties for sale in the typical first-time buyer market.

Homes in this typical first-time buyer market include studio flats and one and two-bedroom flats and houses - smaller properties that are a popular first step to getting on the housing ladder.

The analysis is based on a first-time buyer having a maximum budget of £164,810. This is based on being able to borrow £156,569 from a lender (4.5 times the average national salary of £34,793, ONS figure) and having a 5% deposit of £8,240.

Single first-time buyers in the capital are hardest hit, being able to afford just 2% of studio, one and two-bedroom properties with an average London salary and a 5% deposit, compared to the North East, where solo first-time buyers could afford 67% of properties.

Westminster, Islington & Camden top the list of areas where a single first-time buyer could afford the smallest proportion of typical first-time buyer homes for sale on the average local salary.

95% mortgage rates are usually higher than those for other LTV brackets. The lowest available five-year fixed 95% mortgage rate is currently 5.59%, while the equivalent lowest 85% mortgage rate is 4.99%.

Based on a maximum budget of £164,810, a buyer with a 5% deposit would repay £970 per month over 25 years, compared with £818 per month for a buyer with a 15% deposit.

If extending the mortgage term to 35 years, this reduces payments to £850 per month with a 5% deposit, and £706 with a 15% deposit.

Meanwhile, average advertised rents are now 10% higher than this time last year for new tenants across Great Britain, while the average rent for a studio, one or two bedroom home now makes up 38% of the average salary, making it challenging for those looking to move from the rental market to owning their first home, particularly for a single buyer.

However, for those able to buy with a partner, friend or family member, options greatly open up to those with a small deposit. Two first time buyers on an average salary could afford 70% of smaller properties across Great Britain with a 5% deposit, due to the increased borrowing power.

Last week there were reports that the government was considering extending the 95% mortgage guarantee scheme that helps people with a 5% deposit to buy a home.

Whilst any support is likely to be welcomed by small-deposit movers, Rightmove suggests that as this scheme can only help a small proportion of people then more options could be considered, especially those that would help people buying on their own to get their first step on the property ladder.

Tim Bannister, Rightmove's property expert says:"Having enough affordable homes in the right places has been an ongoing challenge. It's clear from our analysis that people trying to buy on their own on the average salary are likely to be priced out of the majority of homes without significant financial help from elsewhere. With the Autumn Statement fast approaching, the government is likely looking at multiple options and how they could help home-movers, and so we wanted to highlight that this group would particularly welcome any help or incentives."

Matt Smith, Rightmove's mortgage expert adds:"Any focus and support for those with the smallest deposits is always going to be welcome. However, in reality the mortgage guarantee scheme is only able to help a very small portion of movers, with the majority of first time buyers preferring to get the affordability benefits of saving for a bigger deposit . If the scheme was cancelled then it may be seen as a disappointing outcome by some, but in reality it's unlikely to have a significant impact on consumer choice, as many lenders are offering 5% deposit deals outside of the government scheme."

Regional data (data based on October 2023)

Region Average Salary

Maximum Individual Loan

(4.5 x Salary)

% of studio, one and two bedroom homes a single first-time buyer could afford with a 5% deposit %of studio, one and two bedroom homes two first-time buyers could afford with a 5% deposit
Great Britain £34,793 £156,569 25% 70%
London £42,942 £193,237 2% 41%
South East £37,144 £167,146 13% 75%
South West £32,401 £145,805 15% 73%
East of England £36,036 £162,162 18% 79%
East Midlands £31,819 £143,185 31% 93%
West Midlands £32,791 £147,560 32% 90%
North West £32,386 £145,735 45% 91%
Yorkshire and The Humber £31,673 £142,529 47% 94%
Scotland £34,580 £155,610 65% 95%
North East £30,373 £136,679 67% 97%

Most affordable areas for single first-time buyers (data based on October 2023)

Region Average Salary

Maximum Individual Loan

(4.5 x Salary)

% of studio, one and two bedroom homes a single first time buyer could afford with a 5% deposit %of studio, one and two bedroom homes two first time buyers could afford with a 5% deposit
West Dunbartonshire £34,091 £153,410 93% 100%
Aberdeen City £35,667 £160,501 92% 99%
North Lanarkshire £33,462 £150,579 91% 100%
Renfrewshire £35,214 £158,465 90% 100%
East Ayrshire £32,328 £145,478 88% 99%
Clackmannanshire £36,910 £166,093 88% 98%
South Lanarkshire £36,239 £163,075 87% 100%
North Ayrshire £33,264 £149,690 87% 100%
Angus £32,120 £144,542 84% 100%
Inverclyde £30,087 £135,392 84% 99%

Most unaffordable areas for single first-time buyers (data based on October 2023)

Region Average Salary

Maximum Individual Loan

(4.5 x Salary)

% of studio, one and two bedroom homes a single first time buyer could afford with a 5% deposit % of studio, one and two bedroom homes two first time buyers could afford with a 5% deposit
Westminster £50,778 £228,501 0.1% 11%
Islington £46,894 £211,021 0.2% 22%
Camden £44,684 £201,076 0.3% 14%
Barnet £38,735 £174,307 0.3% 33%
Tower Hamlets £47,466 £213,595 0.4% 38%
Southwark £44,491 £200,210 0.4% 33%
Hackney £42,130 £189,587 0.4% 17%
Brent £37,466 £168,597 0.4% 31%
Tandridge £35,610 £160,243 0.5% 47%
Newham £36,421 £163,894 0.5% 37%

ENDS

Notes to editor

  • The typical first-time buyer sector, is defined as studio, one and two-bedroom properties (houses and flats), and represents the typical property a first-time buyer would purchase
  • The salary data is taken from the latest available Annual Survey for Hours and Earnings released by ONS on November 2023
    • Annual salaries are calculated by multiplying the weekly figures provided by 52 to get a yearly figure
  • Affordability calculations are based on someone earning the average salary in a local authority, being able to borrow 4.5 times that average salary, and having a 5% deposit

For further information please contact Jamie McLean on 07980 721032 or email jamie.mclean@rightmove.co.uk

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Rightmove plc published this content on 03 November 2023 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 20 November 2023 10:50:15 UTC.