New data from high street bank Santander reveals a dramatic shift in the UK property market, proving that the dream of homeownership knows no age limit. The most striking finding shows that the oldest first-time buyer the bank supported in 2025 was 70 years old.
A Changing Demographic
The figures paint a clear picture of a changing landscape. The number of first-time buyers aged 60 and over has seen a significant increase of 14% compared to 2024. This trend is part of a broader move, with older buyers taking a larger share of the market. In 2025, one in five (22%) of all first-time buyers were over the age of 40, a notable rise from 18% just a year earlier.
Conversely, the data signals a growing challenge for the younger generation. The proportion of first-time buyers aged 25 and under has fallen by 23% since 2024. Despite this decline, the bank also recorded an 18-year-old purchasing their first property, demonstrating that age alone does not dictate entry onto the property ladder.
Expert Insight on the Market Divide
David Morris, Head of Homes at Santander, commented on the findings, stating, "Our recent data shows that it is never too late to realise your homeownership dream." He described the past year as "the year of the buyer," with regulatory changes boosting confidence.
Morris highlighted the diverse paths to ownership, noting buyers are "buying with family gifts, relying on inherited wealth or simply saving across decades to secure a deposit." However, he issued a stark warning about a "growing disparity" in the market. He pointed to a widening gap between younger and older generations, exacerbated by the impact of stamp duty changes and a persistent lack of housing supply.
The Bigger Picture for UK Housing
This data underscores a long-term trend of the average age of first-time buyers creeping closer to 40. The sharp 14% rise in over-60s securing their first mortgage, however, is a new and powerful development. For context, the oldest first-time buyer Santander helped in 2024 was 67, meaning the record has been broken in just one year.
This analysis from Santander, which has branches in cities like Birmingham, provides a crucial snapshot of the UK's evolving housing challenges and opportunities, proving that for some, the keys to a first home are arriving later in life than ever before.
