The profile of the first-time buyer has shifted dramatically over the past decade, and with it, the type of homes in demand has changed.
Not so long ago, buying your first home usually meant leaving the family home in your early twenties and stepping onto the ladder with a studio or one-bedroom flat. That pattern is no longer the norm.
First-time buyers are older and more established.
Today’s first-time buyers are typically much older. Many are in their thirties or even forties. Rising house prices, higher living costs, and stricter affordability checks mean it simply takes longer to save a meaningful deposit.
As a result, many first-time buyers are staying at home for longer or living with a partner at one set of parents’ house while they save. This delay doesn’t mean hesitation. It means preparation.
When they are finally ready to buy, they are clear about what they want.
Skipping flats and going straight for houses
Because they are older, first-time buyers are no longer looking for a short-term “starter” property. They are thinking further ahead.
Instead of flats, many are looking directly at terraced or semi-detached homes, with semi-detached properties proving especially popular. These buyers are planning for the next stage of life. They may be thinking about getting a dog, working from home, or starting a family in the near future, so space matters, both inside and out.
They want a home that will last, not something they will outgrow in a couple of years.
The lasting impact of lockdown
The memory of lockdowns still plays a big role in buyer behaviour. First-time buyers remember being cooped up for long periods of time, often in small spaces with no access to outdoor areas.
That experience has reshaped priorities. A garden is no longer a “nice to have” feature. It is often essential. Even a modest outdoor space can make a big difference, offering fresh air, flexibility, and peace of mind should anything similar ever happen again.
This is another reason flats are losing appeal, while houses with gardens are gaining ground.
More informed and more cautious
Older first-time buyers are also more informed. They research thoroughly and understand the long-term implications of their purchase.
Many are wary of leasehold flats, having read about rising service charges, ground rent issues, and limitations on control and resale. Freehold ownership feels safer, simpler, and more predictable, especially when buying a home they expect to stay in for many years.
This growing awareness is further pushing demand towards terraced and semi-detached houses rather than apartments.
What this means for the market
This shift in buyer behaviour is quietly reshaping demand. Well-priced, well-presented houses that suit modern living are increasingly attractive to first-time buyers who are ready to commit for the long term.
For sellers of terraced and semi-detached homes, this change presents a real opportunity. The first-time buyer market hasn’t disappeared. It has simply grown up.
Do you have a terraced or semi-detached home to sell?
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