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Over half of UK first time buyers rent before they buy

The research from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks found that 54% of the nation’s first time buyers rent before they take the house buying plunge. A further 35% stay with family and 6% rent but move back to the family home to save for a deposit.

The same survey last year revealed that 67% of first time buyers in the UK were waiting longer than planned to buy their first home with more than half of those surveyed revealing it had taken up to three years longer than anticipated.

There is a clear financial benefit with 39% of those at home claiming to live rent free. Some 61% pay rent every month and a further 21% make a contribution through helping at home, paying bills or buying food for the household. However, 80% of Scots living at home pay rent compared to just 46% of those in London.

The majority, 56%, of first time buyers said they feel pressure to buy their own home and this is felt most keenly amongst those renting a property. There were regional variances with 65% of first time buyers in London admitting to pressure to take their first step onto the property ladder. This compared to just 37% in the North East.

‘We know that first time buyers face a number of pressures and challenges and are focused on providing support throughout the process from helping to save for a deposit to finding the right mortgage to suit different needs and budgets,’ said Steve Fletcher, head of Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks retail network.

He pointed out that Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks are offering first time buyer mortgages with a 5% deposit. ‘We are proud that we were one of only a handful of lenders who continued to support this market throughout the economic downturn,’ he said.

First time buyers with a deposit from as little as 5% can apply for a first time buyer mortgage and receive the benefit of no arrangement fee, £250 cashback and one free home valuation. The Banks offer a three year fixed rate of 3.59% with 90% LTV or 4.89% for a three year fixed with a LTV of 95%.

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