"There are many challenges for prospective buyers to overcome before they get the keys in their hands, and right now, they’re coming from all sides."
Prospective buyers planning to purchase a home in the next 24 months are aiming to save over £11,500 more for their deposit, according to new research from Mortgage Advice Bureau.
On average, prospective buyers said they thought they would need to save £36,118 for their deposit. However, for three in five (62%), this has increased, with future homeowners expecting to need an additional £11,500 in light of recent economic uncertainty.
For a quarter (25%), the higher cost of borrowing means they will have to save more, while one in 10 (11%) say the amount they are needing to save has increased due to them wanting a lower LTV. Meanwhile, almost one in 10 (8%) will now turn to the Bank of Mum and Dad for help.
Saving for a deposit remains one of the biggest barriers to homeownership for almost a third (32%) of prospective homebuyers. This is putting plans on ice for some, with 15% of prospective buyers delaying their plans to buy altogether.
Ben Thompson, deputy CEO at Mortgage Advice Bureau, said: “There are many challenges for prospective buyers to overcome before they get the keys in their hands, and right now, they’re coming from all sides.
“Economic volatility has seen prospective buyers battle high inflation, pushing prices up and limiting the amount they can save. Meanwhile, higher interest rates have lowered the amount they can borrow, meaning bigger deposits are needed. This has led to many prospective buyers having to put more away than they had initially planned.
“Nevertheless, there are some positives that can be taken from this. For those saving for a mortgage, it’s time to take advantage of higher interest rates on savings, with fixed rate accounts in particular offering good rates. Government initiatives, like the Lifetime ISA and Help to Buy ISA (for those who had an account before the scheme closed) can also help."
