The average house price for first-time homebuyers in the United Kingdom (UK) was ******* British pounds in 2024, up from ******* British pounds the year before. All regions experienced an increase in 2024, with prices rising the most in Northern Ireland and the West Midlands. The South East and London were the most expensive regions to buy a home, with the average house prices at ******* British pounds and ******* British pounds, respectively.

The statistic illustrates the level of concern regarding the affordability of buying a house or moving according to adults in the United Kingdom (UK) as of 2019. It can be seen that the ability for first-time buyers to get onto the property ladder was the biggest concern at that time, with a total of 87 percent of respondents stating that this was either a very or somewhat serious problem. The second largest concern was with regards to a similar issue, with a total of 85 percent of respondents stating that saving for a deposit to buy a property was either a very or somewhat serious problem as of 2019.

In 2022, house price growth in the UK slowed, after a period of decade-long increase. Nevertheless, in June 2025, prices reached a new peak, with the average home costing ******* British pounds. This figure refers to all property types, including detached, semi-detached, terraced houses, and flats and maisonettes. Compared to other European countries, the UK had some of the highest house prices. How have UK house prices increased over the last 10 years? Property prices have risen dramatically over the past decade. According to the UK house price index, the average house price has grown by over ** percent since 2015. This price development has led to the gap between the cost of buying and renting a property to close. In 2023, buying a three-bedroom house in the UK was no longer more affordable than renting one. Consequently, Brits have become more likely to rent longer and push off making a house purchase until they have saved up enough for a down payment and achieved the financial stability required to make the step. What caused the recent fluctuations in house prices? House prices are affected by multiple factors, such as mortgage rates, supply, and demand on the market. For nearly a decade, the UK experienced uninterrupted house price growth as a result of strong demand and a chronic undersupply. Homebuyers who purchased a property at the peak of the housing boom in July 2022 paid ** percent more compared to what they would have paid a year before. Additionally, 2022 saw the most dramatic increase in mortgage rates in recent history. Between December 2021 and December 2022, the **-year fixed mortgage rate doubled, adding further strain to prospective homebuyers. As a result, the market cooled, leading to a correction in pricing.

Despite the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reporting that the actual average deposit required to buy a home was ** thousand British pounds (GBP), Santander's survey of potential first-time homeowners found the average target deposit was in some cases much lower. Even in London, where the average property price in early 2019 was over *** thousand British pounds, potential first-time homeowners had a target deposit of around **** percent of the property price (**** thousand GBP).

The issue with having a lower deposit for a new home is that it puts buyers into a higher loan-to-value mortgage ratio. Those in the North East looked to achieve the highest deposit to property price ratio at ******* percent.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of house sales in the UK spiked, followed by a period of decline. In 2023 and 2024, the housing market slowed notably, and in January 2025, transaction volumes fell to 46,774. House sales volumes are impacted by a number of factors, including mortgage rates, house prices, supply, demand, as well as the overall health of the market. The economic uncertainty and rising unemployment rates has also affected the homebuyer sentiment of Brits. How have UK house prices developed over the past 10 years? House prices in the UK have increased year-on-year since 2015, except for a brief period of decline in the second half of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. That is based on the 12-month percentage change of the UK house price index. At the peak of the housing boom in 2022, prices soared by nearly 14 percent. The decline that followed was mild, at under three percent. The cooling in the market was more pronounced in England and Wales, where the average house price declined in 2023. Conversely, growth in Scotland and Northern Ireland continued. What is the impact of mortgage rates on house sales? For a long period, mortgage rates were at record-low, allowing prospective homebuyers to take out a 10-year loan at a mortgage rate of less than three percent. In the last quarter of 2021, this period came to an end as the Bank of England rose the bank lending rate to contain the spike in inflation. Naturally, the higher borrowing costs affected consumer sentiment, urging many homebuyers to place their plans on hold and leading to a decline in sales.

In the United Kingdom, ** percent of home buyers were willing to pay more for energy efficiency in 2022. The second most popular feature was renewable energy sources which ** percent of home buyers were willing to pay more. The features that home buyers were willing to pay more for varied between first and second-time buyers.

In 2024, the average age of recent first-time buyers in London was slightly higher than the England average. Across the UK, first-time buyers accounted for approximately ******* home sales. First-time buyer prices and mortgages In London, the average value of a mortgage for first-time buyers was far higher than all other regions in the UK. Apart from the initial cost of a down payment, those that can afford to, see monthly payment savings against those renting. In certain parts of the country, annual savings of buying against renting saw first time buyers amounted to over ************ British pounds. Help to buy To encourage first-time buyers, the UK government started the "Help to buy" scheme. The scheme sees people saving for a first-time home receive a ***********bonus to their savings when purchasing a house valued at ******* British pounds (******* British pounds in London). Between December 2015 and March 2018, the North West of England saw the highest number of Help to buy ISA bonuses paid.

This page is no longer being updated. Please use the UK House Price Index instead. Mix-adjusted house prices, by new/pre-owned dwellings, type of buyer (first time buyer) and region, from February 2002 for London and UK, and average mix-adjusted prices by UK region, and long term Annual House Price Index data since 1969 for London. The ONS House Price Index is mix-adjusted to allow for differences between houses sold (for example type, number of rooms, location) in different months within a year. House prices are modelled using a combination of characteristics to produce a model containing around 100,000 cells (one such cell could be first-time buyer, old dwelling, one bedroom flat purchased in London). Each month estimated prices for all cells are produced by the model and then combined with their appropriate weight to produce mix-adjusted average prices. The index values are based on growth rates in the mix-adjusted average house prices and are annually chain linked. The weights used for mix-adjustment change at the start of each calendar year (i.e. in January). The mix-adjusted prices are therefore not comparable between calendar years, although they are comparable within each calendar year. If you wish to calculate change between years, you should use the mix-adjusted house price index, available in Table 33. The data published in these tables are based on a sub-sample of RMS data. These results will therefore differ from results produced using full sample data. For further information please contact the ONS using the contact details below. House prices, mortgage advances and incomes have been rounded to the nearest £1,000. Data taken from Table 2 and Table 9 of the monthly ONS release. Download from ONS website

This dataset contains quarterly median loan to value ratios for first time buyers in England.

This dataset contains quarterly median loan to value ratios for first time buyers in England. The data is owned by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) and permission has been given to publish to ODC.

Housing affordability in the UK has worsened notably since 2020, with the share of income spent on mortgage payments rising for first-time and repeat buyers. In 2024, homebuyers spent, on average, 20.5 percent of their income on mortgage payments, up from 16.2 percent in 2020. First-time buyers spent a notably higher percentage than repeat buyers. One of the main factors for the declining affordability is the rising housing costs. House prices have increased rapidly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Mortgage rates have also soared since, leading to notably higher monthly payments.

The data in this data set was provided by HM Treasury and details mortgage completions on properties supported by Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee completions, by local authority, England. The data set covers the period 8 October 2013 to 30 June 2014.

The Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme opened on 8 October 2013 and is available across the United Kingdom. Under the scheme the government offers lenders the option to purchase a guarantee on mortgage loans where the borrower has a deposit of between 5% and 20%. The scheme can be used for mortgages on both new build and existing homes, by first time buyers, home movers and those remortgaging. In order to qualify for a loan supported by the Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee, there are a number of eligibility criteria which are set out in the scheme rules.

The guarantee compensates participating mortgage lenders for a portion of net losses suffered in the event of repossession. The guarantee applies down to 80% of the purchase value of the guaranteed property covering 95% of these net losses. The lender therefore retains a 5% risk in the portion of losses covered by the guarantee. This ensures that the lender retains some risk in every mortgage originated. For example, the scheme is not available on buy-to-let mortgages or second homes, and the property value must be £600,000 or less.

Over the life of the scheme the government will make available up to £12 billion of guarantees, which is sufficient to support up to £130 billion of high loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages.

For further information see
Help to Buy: mortgage guarantee scheme Quarterly Statistics.

The price of new dwelling units in the United Kingdom was notably higher for former owner-occupiers than for first-time buyers in 2024. On average, properties bought by first-time buyers sold for 260,000 British pounds. Meanwhile, the average price paid by repeat buyers was 422,000 British pounds. Prices also varied depending on the property type. Flats and maisonettes in converted houses and terraced houses were the most affordable options for homebuyers.

About 36 percent of homeowners in England were aged 65 and above, which contrasts sharply with younger age groups, particularly those under 35. Young adults between 25 and 35, made up 15 percent of homeowners and had a dramatically lower homeownership rate. The disparity highlights the growing challenges faced by younger generations in entering the property market, a trend that has significant implications for wealth distribution and social mobility. Barriers to homeownership for young adults The path to homeownership has become increasingly difficult for young adults in the UK. A 2023 survey revealed that mortgage affordability was the greatest obstacle to property purchase. This represents a 39 percent increase from 2021, reflecting the impact of rising house prices and mortgage rates. Despite these challenges, one in three young adults still aspire to get on the property ladder as soon as possible, though many have put their plans on hold. The need for additional financial support from family, friends, and lenders has become more prevalent, with one in five young adults acknowledging this necessity. Regional disparities and housing supply The housing market in England faces regional challenges, with North West England and the West Midlands experiencing the largest mismatch between housing supply and demand in 2023. This imbalance is evident in the discrepancy between new homes added to the housing stock and the number of new households formed. London, despite showing signs of housing shortage, has seen the largest difference between homes built and households formed. The construction of new homes has been volatile, with a significant drop in 2020, a rebound in 2021 and a gradual decline until 2024.

Mix-adjusted house prices, by new/pre-owned dwellings, type of buyer (first time buyer) and region, from February 2002 for London and UK, and average mix-adjusted prices by UK region, and long term Annual House Price Index data since 1969 for London.

The ONS House Price Index is mix-adjusted to allow for differences between houses sold (for example type, number of rooms, location) in different months within a year. House prices are modelled using a combination of characteristics to produce a model containing around 100,000 cells (one such cell could be first-time buyer, old dwelling, one bedroom flat purchased in London). Each month estimated prices for all cells are produced by the model and then combined with their appropriate weight to produce mix-adjusted average prices. The index values are based on growth rates in the mix-adjusted average house prices and are annually chain linked.

The weights used for mix-adjustment change at the start of each calendar year (i.e. in January). The mix-adjusted prices are therefore not comparable between calendar years, although they are comparable within each calendar year. If you wish to calculate change between years, you should use the mix-adjusted house price index, available in Table 33.

The data published in these tables are based on a sub-sample of RMS data. These results will therefore differ from results produced using full sample data. For further information please contact the ONS using the contact details below.
House prices, mortgage advances and incomes have been rounded to the nearest £1,000.
Data taken from Table 2 and Table 9 of the monthly ONS release.

Download from ONS website

The original aims of the Migration and Housing Choice Survey (MHCS) were, firstly, to provide a comprehensive picture of the private housing market, including areas of search, criteria for selection of houses and the characteristics of first-time buyers; secondly, to support forecasts of housing requirement by providing an indication of the number and types of households which were being formed; and finally, to provide an input into future land allocation policies to meet housing requirements by, for example, illustrating movement between areas and tenure changes. It was hoped that the MHCS responses in Strathclyde would provide an input to the monitoring of Strathclyde's Structure Plan by providing information on the operation of the private sector housing market, in terms of migration patterns, search patterns and motivations. These developed into more general aims as the scale of the survey grew; firstly, to obtain information on the movers' characteristics; secondly, to explore their preferences for housing type and location; and thirdly and most importantly, to examine the motivation for their move. Generally, this national dataset aimed to examine the patterns and especially the processes involved in migration in Scotland.

Portugal, Canada, and the United States were the countries with the highest house price to income ratio in 2024. In all three countries, the index exceeded 130 index points, while the average for all OECD countries stood at 116.2 index points. The index measures the development of housing affordability and is calculated by dividing nominal house price by nominal disposable income per head, with 2015 set as a base year when the index amounted to 100. An index value of 120, for example, would mean that house price growth has outpaced income growth by 20 percent since 2015. How have house prices worldwide changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? House prices started to rise gradually after the global financial crisis (2007–2008), but this trend accelerated with the pandemic. The countries with advanced economies, which usually have mature housing markets, experienced stronger growth than countries with emerging economies. Real house price growth (accounting for inflation) peaked in 2022 and has since lost some of the gain. Although, many countries experienced a decline in house prices, the global house price index shows that property prices in 2023 were still substantially higher than before COVID-19. Renting vs. buying In the past, house prices have grown faster than rents. However, the home affordability has been declining notably, with a direct impact on rental prices. As people struggle to buy a property of their own, they often turn to rental accommodation. This has resulted in a growing demand for rental apartments and soaring rental prices.

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Real Estate Market Size 2025-2029

The real estate market size is valued to increase USD 1258.6 billion, at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2024 to 2029. Growing aggregate private investment will drive the real estate market.

Major Market Trends & Insights

APAC dominated the market and accounted for a 64% growth during the forecast period.
By Type - Residential segment was valued at USD 1440.30 billion in 2023
By Business Segment - Rental segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023

Market Size & Forecast

Market Opportunities: USD 48.03 billion
Market Future Opportunities: USD 1258.60 billion
CAGR from 2024 to 2029 : 5.6%

Market Summary

In the dynamic realm of global real estate, private investment continues to surge, reaching an impressive USD 2.6 trillion in 2020. This significant influx of capital underscores the sector's enduring appeal to investors, driven by factors such as stable returns, inflation hedging, and the ongoing demand for shelter and commercial real estate space. Simultaneously, marketing initiatives have gained momentum, with digital platforms and virtual tours becoming increasingly popular.
However, regulatory uncertainty looms, posing challenges for market participants. Amidst this complex landscape, real estate remains a vital component of the global economy, continually evolving to meet the shifting needs of businesses and individuals alike.

What will be the Size of the Real Estate Market during the forecast period?

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How is the Real Estate Market Segmented ?

The real estate industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Type

  Residential
  Commercial
  Industrial


Business Segment

  Rental
  Sales


Manufacturing Type

  New construction
  Renovation and redevelopment
  Land development


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    Germany
    UK


  APAC

    Australia
    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  South America

    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Type Insights

The residential segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

Amidst the dynamic real estate landscape, the residential sector encompasses the buying and selling of various dwelling types, including single-family homes, apartments, townhouses, and more. This segment experiences continuous growth, fueled by increasing millennial homeownership rates and urbanization trends. Notably, the APAC region, specifically China, dominates the market share, driven by escalating homeownership numbers. Concurrently, the Indian real estate sector thrives due to the demand for affordable housing, with initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) spurring the development of affordable housing projects. In this evolving market, various aspects such as environmental impact studies, capital appreciation potential, title insurance coverage, building lifecycle costs, mortgage interest rates, and structural engineering analysis play crucial roles.

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The Residential segment was valued at USD 1440.30 billion in 2019 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.

Property tax appeals, property insurance premiums, property tax assessments, property marketing strategies, building material pricing, property management software, land surveying techniques, zoning regulations compliance, architectural design features, building code compliance, multifamily property management, rental yield calculations, construction cost estimation, energy efficiency ratings, green building certifications, tenant screening processes, investment property returns, property development plans, geotechnical site investigations, sustainable building practices, due diligence procedures, HVAC system efficiency, property renovation costs, market value appraisals, building permit acquisition, and property valuation models significantly impact the sector's progression. As of 2021, the market is projected to reach a value of USD 33.3 trillion, underscoring its substantial influence on the global economy.

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Regional Analysis

APAC is estimated to contribute 64% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.

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The APAC region held the largest share of the market in 2024, driven by factors such as rapid urbanization and increasing spending capacity. This trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. The overall health of the economy signi

The lowest monthly costs of buying a home for first-time buyers in 2023 was in Northern Ireland, with an average of *** British pounds a month. In comparison, the average monthly cost in the UK were ***** British pounds.