First-time buyers and self-employed could find it easier to access mortgages

Aneisha Beveridge, research director at Hamptons and Connells Group, said: “First-time buyers have made their presence felt in 2025, accounting for a record 33 per cent of purchases across Great Britain – almost double the share a decade ago.

“In London, they’ve gone even further, buying half of all homes sold.

“These figures sound impressive, but they mask a quieter trend: existing owners are moving far less often, held back by hefty stamp duty bills and the cost of trading up in a higher-rate world.

“And while first-time buyers are getting on the ladder, they’re doing so later in life and aiming to future-proof their purchase – choosing homes they can grow into rather than stepping stones.

“Some of the recent tweaks to lending rules have helped higher-income and single first-time buyers in particular, but any future changes from the FCA to widen access further will be welcome.”