It’s positive that lending to first time buyers has continued to increase throughout 2017 comments Richard Sexton

July 21, 2017

Comment from Richard Sexton, director at e.surv, following the latest CML monthly lending figures.

“It’s positive that lending to first time buyers has continued to increase throughout 2017. We’re seeing similar trends in our Mortgage Monitor data and believe this is largely due to record low mortgage rates on offer as well as the increased support of government and lender schemes helping to get more buyers onto the ladder.

“The rise in remortgaging and first time buyer activity is a great step in the right direction, however it is clear there is not enough movement in the mid-market. This is causing a bottleneck of housing supply and in turn, is pushing up prices to historical highs. Confidence in the market and more favourable economic conditions should bring more fluidity to the market. As more existing homeowners climb the property ladder, they will eventually free up affordable property for those looking to get onto the first rung.”

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Letting Agent Talk

Spring clean drives high maintenance bill for landlord

The latest market insight from property management specialist, Rushbrook & Rathbone, suggests that property maintenance spend is set to surge in April, as the annual ‘spring clean’ by landlords saw the month account for the second highest proportion of total annual maintenance spend in 2025, as well as the largest average spend per work order. Rushbrook…
Read More →
Breaking News

65% of homebuyers blame slow process on conveyancers

The latest research from Lyons Bowe reveals that 65% of recent homebuyers say the conveyancing process was the slowest part of their buying process, with a quarter saying the legal back and forth took more than 16 weeks to complete. Lyons Bowe commissioned a survey of 1,000 UK homeowners who made a purchase in the past…
Read More →
Breaking News

UK Construction Activity Collapses

Glenigan’s April Construction Index uncovers an industry struggling to cushion the blows from ongoing international conflict and a persistently weak economy. Work starting on-site declined by 17% compared to Q4, remaining 18% below 2025 levels. Residential construction starts dropped by 13% during the Index period and fell by 30% against 2025 figures. Non-residential project-starts dipped…
Read More →
Breaking News

Homebuyer demand down in Q1 2026

Buyer demand slips in Q1 2026, with South of England outperformed by North and Midlands The latest Sales Demand Index from eXp UK has revealed that homebuyer demand in England slipped by -1.6% in Q1 2026. The analysis also reveals a clear north-south divide with counties located in the midlands or north of the country recording…
Read More →
Letting Agent Talk

Check your rights now or risk being caught out by new rental laws

Renters have been urged to check their rights now or risk being caught out, as sweeping new laws prepare to transform the rental market from May. The warning comes ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act, with major reforms set to affect millions of tenants, fundamentally changing how tenancies are managed and challenged. Housing law expert…
Read More →
Breaking News

East London dominates on annual growth for property values over the last decade

The latest analysis by Foxtons has revealed that, alongside a consistent average annual rate of growth in property values of 1.3% across the capital over the last decade, the east of London dominates when it comes to stand out borough performance – with Redbridge, Havering and Barking and Dagenham topping the table for house price…
Read More →