Britons now leave their first property after just 4.5 years as compromises on space and location drive early exits
A new wave of pragmatic first-time buyers is treating their initial property purchase as a calculated stepping stone rather than a lifelong investment, according to research released by Santander UK.
The findings reveal that the average first home is owned for just 4.5 years – almost half the eight-year average for subsequent properties – as affordability pressures and changing life circumstances push homeowners to move on sooner.
In stark contrast to older generations, where long-term attachment to a first home was once the norm, one in four first-time buyers today (25%) admit they feel no emotional connection to their property.
STRATEGY NOT SENTIMENT
Indeed, the research suggests that sentimentality is giving way to strategy. While one in five Britons over 80 still live in the first home they bought, today’s younger buyers are being forced to make compromises on location and size to gain a foothold on the housing ladder.
According to Santander’s data, more than half (51%) of first-time buyers are purchasing studio flats or homes with just one or two bedrooms – despite 18% of these buyers already having at least one dependent.
David Morris, Head of Homes at Santander UK, says: “The new wave of first-time buyers is increasingly pragmatic.
“While many of us still recall the excitement of receiving our first set of keys, younger homeowners are making calculated decisions in order to secure any kind of property ownership in the current market.”
AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGES
He adds: “Given the well-documented affordability challenges, many are compromising on space or location just to get started. That pragmatism is often rewarded – once on the ladder, they’re able to move up into homes that better match their long-term needs.”
The data paints a portrait of first-time buyers who are not only facing financial constraints but also geographic dislocation.
Two-thirds (67%) of first-time buyers reported purchasing a home in a neighbourhood they had never previously visited, driven by a lack of availability and price pressures in their preferred areas.
This phenomenon is accelerating the move from first-time buyer to “next-time buyer,” with 37% citing a desire for more space as their key reason for moving on.
Other motivators include a more desirable location (18%), proximity to family (18%), and access to outdoor space, such as a garden (14%).
PLACE IN MY HEART
Ruby Rose Eadie, a mother of two and lifestyle influencer, reflects on her own journey: “My first home will always have a special place in my heart, but it was a stepping stone.
“We compromised on space to get on the ladder. With our second child arriving, it’s now clear we need more room. While moving up can be tough, it doesn’t compare to affording that first home. I’m glad we took the leap, knowing it was our ‘home for now,’ not our ‘forever home.’”
SHIFTING BEHAVIOUR
Santander’s research aligns with wider trends in the UK housing market, where younger buyers are increasingly prioritising financial sensibility over emotional permanence.
As mortgage costs, property prices and living expenses remain high, many are opting to make smaller, shorter-term investments to gain market access, even if those homes don’t fully reflect their preferences.
The lender is encouraging first-time buyers to consider their long-term plans from the outset, especially with regard to the cost of moving and the portability of mortgage products.
“Thinking ahead – whether that means choosing a mortgage that can move with you, or understanding the costs of upsizing – is essential,” says Morris. “The reality is, first-time buyers today are no longer looking for a dream home. They’re looking for a launch pad.”
For today’s first-time buyers, the focus is clear: get in, then move on.
