Older buyers are making up a growing proportion of the first-time buyer (FTB) market, with 22% of FTBs in 2025 aged over 40, up from 18% in 2024, according to fresh data from Santander.

While the average age of first-time buyers edges closer to 40, the lender’s data also shows a sharp rise in buyers over 60, up 14% compared with 2024. The oldest first-time buyer Santander supported this year was 70, compared with 67 in 2024.

Meanwhile, younger buyers are becoming increasingly scarce. The proportion of FTBs aged 25 and under has fallen by almost a quarter (23%) over the last year, although the youngest buyer this year was still 18, highlighting that first-time ownership is not exclusively defined by age.

David Morris, head of homes at Santander, said: “Our recent data shows that it is never too late to realise your homeownership dream. This year has very much been the year of the buyer, with regulatory changes giving buyers renewed confidence that owning a home is within reach. Whether buying with family gifts, relying on inherited wealth or simply saving across decades to secure a deposit, we’re pleased to have helped so many first-time buyers across the generations.

“But there is still more that can be done, and our data also highlights a growing disparity for first-time home ownership, with the gap widening between younger and older generations as the market grapples with the impact of stamp duty changes and a lack of supply.”