"This latest data is both interesting and telling and effectively highlights that the UK Government needs to be doing more to support first-time buyers in securing their first home"
- Vernon Pethard - New Homes For Sale
The number of first-time buyers (FTBs) seeking to purchase new build properties has fallen by 10% over the past four years, according to research from property website newhomesforsale.co.uk.
The analysis, which looked at property enquiries from 2021 to 2025, found that of the 383,000 buyers expressing interest in new builds in 2021, 68% were first-time buyers. By 2025, of 228,000 total enquiries, 61% came from first-time buyers.
The data shows that the sharpest decline occurred in 2023, when first-time buyers accounted for 59% of 251,000 enquiries, representing a 13% drop overall.
The research also highlighted a 40% decrease in overall buyer numbers during the four-year period, reflecting ongoing economic uncertainty and changing mortgage rates.
Despite the overall decline, regions known for higher house prices recorded increased first-time buyer interest. Greater London and Kent led as first-time buyer hotspots, followed by Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, and Essex.
The findings come as the UK Government delivers its autumn budget, which included no additional support for first-time buyers.
Vernon Pethard, founder and director of newhomesforsale.co.uk, said, “This latest data is both interesting and telling and effectively highlights that the UK Government needs to be doing more to support first-time buyers in securing their first home."
"While the First Homes Government Scheme is certainly a positive, it doesn’t benefit or apply to all first-time buyers. As such, I believe key changes like stamp duty reform or wider affordability initiatives, such as the previous Help to Buy scheme, would prove far more impactful, particularly if aspiring home owners are looking in property hot spots like Greater Lonon and Manchester.”
