Covid halts home plans for three in ten prospective first-time buyers

Three in ten prospective homebuyers have paused plans to purchase their first property as a result of COVID-19, a new study from NerdWallet has revealed.

The financial comparison platform commissioned an independent survey of over 600 UK adults who do not currently own a property but aspire to. It found that nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents expect to purchase their first home within the next year.

However, the survey found that nearly a tenth (9%) of aspiring homeowners had tried unsuccessfully to purchase a property during the stamp duty holiday. A further 5% have been turned down for a mortgage.

Despite the stamp duty holiday, NerdWallet’s research also revealed that 30% of prospective first-time buyers delayed their plans to purchase a property because of COVID-19.

Nevertheless, the vast majority (70%) of hopeful homebuyers remain confident that they will achieve their ambitions of home ownership within the next ten years.

Accordingly, NerdWallet’s research found that two fifths (40%) of would-be homeowners had already taken steps to improve their credit score in advance of applying for a mortgage.

Meanwhile, the majority (57%) are considering, or planning to, take advantage of the Government-backed 95% mortgage. A further 35% expect to receive financial help from a family member, guardian, friend or partner to pay for their house deposit.

John Ellmore, Director of Operations at NerdWallet, said: “COVID-19 has created challenging conditions for the UK mortgage market. The resulting economic volatility has led some mortgage providers to tighten their lending criteria and, as such, some first-time homebuyers may find securing a mortgage more challenging than they may otherwise have done.

“Positively, however, Britons appear to be taking steps to prepare themselves for mortgage applications – and this should be a sign of better things to come. From taking advantage of Government-backed 95% mortgages, to improving credit ratings, our research suggests that prospective buyers are being proactive in their efforts to make homeownership a reality.

“In addition to financial preparations, individuals must ensure that they are conducting thorough research before starting any applications. In such a vast, varied market, homebuyers must ensure they find a mortgage product that best suits their particular needs and circumstances.”