Average age of a second-time buyer is now 42

The average age of a second-time buyer is now 42, reveals Post Office’s Step-Up report.

Those currently living in their first home took their first step onto the property ladder at the age of 28, but expect to wait a further 14 years before climbing onto the second rung (42 years old).  In contrast, those who have already made this leap and are currently second time property owners did so at the age of 34 – a head start of eight years. 

In the mid-1960s, second-time buyers had to wait just three years before moving on from their first home as the average age of a first-time buyer between 1965 and 1969 was 25, moving onto their second home at the age of 28.  However, in recent years, this gap has climbed to nine years; the average age of a first-time buyer between 2010 and 2013 was 30, moving onto their second home at the age of 39. 

Year	Average age of a first-time buyer	Average age of a second-time buyer
1960-1964	24	24
1965-1969	25	28
1970-1974	25	29
1975-1979	27	31
1980-1984	27	31
1985-1989	29	34
1990-1994	28	36
1995-1999	29	39
2000-2004	29	37
2005-2009	30	35
2010-2013	30	39

*Table shows the average age of first and second-time buyers from 1960-2013

Prospective second-time buyers would be encouraged to move if house prices were to fall (60 per cent), and just under half (45 per cent) would be swayed if they found their dream home.  Two in five (41 per cent) could be charmed into moving by competitive mortgage rates, while a quarter (25 per cent) would be led by their relationship and consider moving up if they had plans to get married or start a family.

John Willcock, Head of Mortgages at Post Office, said: “Taking that all-important step onto the housing ladder sometimes seems like the biggest hurdle a homebuyer will face.  However, we can see that it doesn’t get any easier as people try to move up the property ladder and second-time buyers can face their own set of challenges.

“Second time buyers now expect to wait until they are in their 40s before moving on from their starter home, perhaps having to put on hold placing their roots or building a family home for years to come.  At the Post Office, our products are some of the most competitive on the market and many come without arrangement fees, free standard variation and there’s no higher lending charge, which should give movers a helping hand covering costs as they climb the property ladder.”

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