Buying Alone? What Solo Buyers Need to Know Before Making an Offer on a House
Figures show that solo buyers accounted for 36.9% of Barclays’ mortgage completions in June 2026, as more people chose to step onto the property ladder without a partner beside them.
Choosing independence over waiting for a joint purchase has doubled over the last 50+ years, with solo first-time buyers doubling from 15% before 1980 to 30% since 2020.
Julie Hicks, Head of Communications at Hopkins Homes, said: “We’re speaking to more people who have made a choice to buy on their own. It changes the conversation we have with them from day one, because everything from the mortgage to the running costs rests on one income rather than two.”
Here, experts at Hopkins Homes, a new build developer, look at what solo buyers should consider before making an offer, from budgeting for the full mortgage and running costs alone to choosing a property that still works if circumstances change.
Budgeting Without a Second Income to Fall Back On
A joint mortgage application can spread the weight of a purchase across two salaries, but a solo buyer carries the full sum alone. Most UK lenders work within a standard income multiple of between four and 4.5 times annual salary when assessing how much someone can borrow. This places a firm ceiling on what a single applicant can realistically offer for a property, before other factors such as deposit size and outgoings are taken into account.
Hicks said: “The starting point for anyone buying alone should be a proper conversation with a mortgage adviser. Knowing the real number you can borrow, rather than what you’d like to borrow, saves a lot of disappointment further down the line and means you’re only looking at homes you can genuinely afford to run as well as buy.”
A Safety Net Matters More When There’s Only One Income
Homeownership brings a list of costs that sit outside the mortgage itself, from buildings insurance and maintenance to unexpected repairs.
A joint household has two incomes to absorb a gap if one falls away, however a solo buyer doesn’t have that cushion. That’s why it’s recommended to have three to six months of essential expenses set aside before and after a purchase completes.
Hicks said: “Buyers who are going it alone need to be disciplined about building a safety net because there isn’t a second income to lean on if something goes wrong. We’d always encourage solo buyers to keep some savings back rather than putting every penny towards the deposit.”
Choosing a Home that Still Works if Life Changes
A property bought alone doesn’t need to stay a solo purchase forever, and buyers should think about how a home would suit them if their circumstances shift, whether that means a partner moving in, a change of job, or wanting to let out a room.
Hicks said: “It’s worth choosing a home with some flexibility built in, whether that’s a spare room that could earn an income or become a home office, or a location that would still suit you in five or ten years’ time. Buying alone doesn’t mean the decision only has to work for the next year or two.”
Don’t Be Caught Out by Extra Costs
Since 1 April 2025, first time buyers in England and Northern Ireland have paid no stamp duty on properties up to £300,000, with a 5% rate applying on the portion between £300,001 and £500,000.
For a solo buyer working to a tighter budget than a joint applicant, that threshold can shape which properties are realistically in reach, alongside solicitors’ fees, surveys and moving costs that typically add several thousand pounds on top of the purchase price.
Hicks said: “None of these extra costs should come as a surprise if you’ve done your homework in advance. We always encourage buyers, whether they’re purchasing alone or with someone else, to speak to an independent financial adviser early on so the full picture is clear before they make an offer.”
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