The drop in would-be movers, who own a home but are looking to either move to somewhere bigger or downsize, fell more sharply, down 16.8pc year-on-year in August. Those movers who did get a loan are looking to borrow more, an average of €384,887, compared with the €325,934 average for first-time buyers. The slowdown among movers combined with the lack of new housing completions points to a further strain on supply for first-time buyers.
The CEO of Meredith Whitney Advisory Group, whose prediction of the Great Financial Crisis earned her the moniker "Oracle of Wall Street," pointed out in a Financial Times op-ed that more than 54% of homes are owned by seniors, up from 44% in 2008. She added that 79% of seniors own their homes, and three-fourths of them don't have a mortgage, meaning they have an enormous amount of equity that can help cover rising homeownership costs, such as insurance.
Michael Broderick of First Home Scheme is amazed so many people who want to buy a property are unaware of the supports available
A carefully measured relaxation of mortgage lending criteria could open the door for more first-time buyers without triggering a significant rise in loan defaults, a leading banking and finance body has suggested. UK Finance's analysis indicates that a modest increase in lending, facilitated by reduced stress rates, could enhance mortgage accessibility, particularly for those entering the property market for the first time, without substantially increasing arrears.
"Ranch homes are often the preference of first-time buyers and empty nesters due to single-story convenience and ease of maintenance. The style is particularly well-liked in Sun Belt states like Texas and Arizona," said Alexei Morgado, real estate agent and CEO of Lexawise.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has released a discussion paper outlining the potential benefits and risks of rule changes, aiming to support wider access to sustainable home ownership.
"Starter homes aren't what they used to be," says Redfin Senior Economist Elijah de la Campa. "A decade ago, a turnkey four-bedroom house in a nice neighborhood was often considered a starter home, but today, a small fixer-upper condo is often all a first-time homebuyer can afford."
