First-time Buyers Highest Since 2007

The Halifax report that there were more first-time home buyers in 2016 than at any time since the start of the financial crisis.

The Halifax estimated there were 335,750 first-time buyers last year, the highest figure since 359,900 in 2007.

However, the average first-time deposit has more than doubled since 2007 to stand at more than £32,000.

The Halifax also found the average price of a first home broke through the £200,000 barrier for the first time.

Halifax housing economist Martin Ellis attributed the increase in first-time buyer numbers to continuing low mortgage rates and high levels of employment, which had "supported the market". He is quoted by the Telegraph:

"Government schemes such as Help to Buy have improved affordability, enabling more first-time buyers to buy their own property."

Yet again the dire predictions of Project Fear have been proven wrong.