Recent Halifax research has revealed the average age of the first time home buyer in the UK – 29.  While not much has changed over time in the average age, there is almost ten years difference in age when it comes to different parts of the country in regard to first time purchases.  Uniquely enough, the areas which claim the highest numbers of first time buyers also are home to the most affordable homes available.

Selby in North Yorkshire is home to the youngest first time buyer group, at age 25.  In contrast, the average age of the region for the oldest first time buyers, Harrow in London, is nine years older at 34.

Instead of comparing the first time buyers average age by district, a regional comparison produces a different result.  The youngest first time buyers with an average age of 28 are present in several different areas.  These are: Northeast, Northwest, Yorkshire and the Humber, Wales and Scotland

The oldest average age of first time buyers reside in London, at age 32, and the Southeast, just one year younger.

The unsurprising fact regarding average age of first timers is they live in regions where there are an equal amount of relatively affordable dwellings to choose from.  For example, more than 50% of the ten regions with the junior first time buyers contain home prices 25 to 40% below the national average.

In the early 1980’s, when Halifax started recording ages of first time buyers, the average was 28.  Due to the difficult financial times, many first timers are unable to even consider a permanent home to live in.  More often than not, young buyers looking for that first time residence have to settle for a rental property and spend several years saving for a first home.