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A first-time buyer (FTB) is a potential house buyer who has not previously purchased a residential property.[1] The term is primarily used in the British, Irish, Canadian, and U.S. property markets, as well as other countries.

Characteristics

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A first-time buyer is usually desirable to a seller as they do not have to sell a property, and as such will not involve a housing chain.[2]

In the US, Canada,[3] and Australia,[4] the average age of first-time buyers is usually around their mid-30s,[5][6] while in the UK it's between 25 and 34 years old.[7]

Decision to buy a home

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There are many factors a first-time buyer may need to consider before purchasing their first property; how much initial cash they will need for stamp duty and any solicitors fees, and if they need to arrange a mortgage how much are they able to afford.[citation needed]

In many countries such as United Kingdom, Canada and Australia home ownership is seen as a natural step in the life cycle and the natural form of property tenure.[8][9] Canada and Australia have some of the most ownership rate in word (all above 65%) home ownership. Ireland has one of the highest proportions of owner-occupiers in the EU at around 80%.[10]

UK mortgages

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As of 2021, first-time buyers represented 50% of all mortgage house purchases in the UK.[11] In Ireland, FTB's represent 34% of the market.

The number of new buyers purchasing property declines when housing becomes unaffordable.[12]

In the 2007 Scottish parliamentary election the Scottish National Party proposed a £2,000 grant for first-time buyers to help them get onto the property ladder.[13]

Grants have not been forthcoming in the rest of the UK, but in July 2007 Housing Minister Yvette Cooper announced it would be broadening the government's Homebuy Shared Equity scheme to help buyers. "Unless we act now by 2026 first-time buyers will find average house prices are ten times their salary. That could lead to real social inequality and injustice," Cooper told Parliament.[14]

Since then, first time buyers have regained momentum in the market, with reports[clarification needed] in 2010 citing first-time buying as the most popular of consumer enquiries for a local, whole of market mortgage adviser - accounting for 37% of total enquiries.[15]

In 2016 the UK Government launched the Help to Buy ISA for first time buyers through incentivising them to use savings to fund a deposit on a property. The money saved is then boosted by 25% up to a maximum of £3000.[16] In April 2017, the Lifetime ISA was launched.[17] It was launched to replace the Help to Buy ISA (which was closed in Nov 2019).[18] The Lifetime ISA gives a similar 25% top-up from the government towards a First Time Buyer's home purchase, but also gives the flexibility to save the money and the top-up for retirement.[19] The First Homes Scheme was launched in June 2021, which enabled first-time buyers, local people and key workers to purchase a property at a discounted rate.[20]

The UK Help to Buy equity loan scheme closed to new applicants on 31 October 2022.[21]

In May 2023, first-time buyer mortgage approvals in Ireland reached their highest levels since 2011, according to the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI).[22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "First Time Buyer Mortgages". www.aboutmortgages.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  2. ^ First time buyers
  3. ^ "This Is the Average Age of First-Time Home Buyers". The Globe and Mail.
  4. ^ "As houses get more expensive, first home buyers are getting older". Sydney Morning Herald.
  5. ^ "Highlights From the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  6. ^ Smialek, Jeanna (2 March 2024). "How 33-Year-Olds, the Peak Millennials, are Shaping the U.S. Economy". The New York Times.
  7. ^ "Chapter 3: Housing history and future housing". GOV.UK.
  8. ^ Housing Policies for the New UK
  9. ^ Chapter on Housing Trends in Ireland
  10. ^ "First Time Buyer Report 2005" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-11-19. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
  11. ^ "First-time Buyer Statistics and Facts: 2022 | money.co.uk". www.money.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  12. ^ Haurant, Sandra (2007-04-10). "Decline in number of first-time buyers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  13. ^ "Brown in economy clash with SNP". BBC. 2007-04-19. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  14. ^ Administrator, System (2007-07-23). "Government to pump £8bn into affordable housing". Mortgage Strategy. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  15. ^ "Have we reached 'peak pension transfer'?". unbiased.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  16. ^ "How does a Help to Buy Isa work?". BBC News. 2015-11-28. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  17. ^ "What you need to know about the new Lifetime ISA". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  18. ^ "Own Your Home | Help to Buy: ISA". Own Your Home. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  19. ^ "Lifetime ISA: Best for First Time Buyers". FTB.help. Retrieved 2020-06-26.
  20. ^ "First Homes scheme: Everything you need to know". Times Money Mentor. 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  21. ^ "Help To Buy Equity Loan 2021-2023 - HomeOwners Alliance". hoa.org.uk. 2018-10-31. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  22. ^ "Mortgage approvals for first-time buyers reach highest level since 2011, new figures show". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
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