First Time Mortgage Buyers Decline

The proportion of first-time buyers looking to acquire property has reached its lowest level in a year, according to the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA).

The monthly market survey of the NAEA members found that in November, only 19% of registered buyers were first-time buyers, the lowest since December 2008 when levels were only 11%.

Six months ago however 43% of the market was made up of first-time buyers.

President of the NAEA Gary Smith said: "The decline in the first time buyer segment is exactly what the NAEA anticipated and warned the Government about some months ago.

"Any tax holidays result in a distortion in the market and in the case of Stamp Duty needed to carefully managed and phased out rather than falling of a cliff. Unfortunately as first time buyers often form the foundation of selling chains there could be repercussion throughout the sector."

However, given the usually seasonal lull the number of sales remained steady in November with an average of eight sales made per branch, while the average number of properties available for sale per branch increased slightly from 57 in October to 58 in November.

Smith added: "It is encouraging to see that the market is in a stronger and more stable position than it was 12 months ago. To sustain these improvements, the Government should put more pressure on banks to ensure lending is available."


Written by Frnak Polenose of Homeowner Loans, Payday Loans and Debt Management