How can first-time buyers climb onto the property ladder?
A report yesterday suggested that the UK is fast becoming a property rental economy rather than a property purchase economy, something which has been in place for many decades. There are now great concerns that first-time buyers are effectively being priced out that the UK property market due to an increase in property prices and a lack of liquidity in the mortgage market. So how can first-time buyers climb onto the property ladder?
There are many different options available for first-time buyers although unfortunately they either mean years of saving or some form of shared equity with a housing association or other third party. At this point in time even the average UK house price is well beyond the means of many first-time buyers and even if property prices come down, there may be a reduction in liquidity in the mortgage market which will again block their route to entry.
It is ironic that the UK situation has now turned full circle in direct contrast to the US situation where many people had preferred to rent rather than buy. There is very little assistance that the UK government can offer in the short to medium term and ultimately first-time buyers are now at the beck and call of market forces.
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