Savills reported in December 2025 that first-time buyers borrowed £82.8 billion in the year to September 2025. Its analysis covered approximately 390,000 buyers and put the increase in borrowing at 30% compared with the preceding year. These are historical market figures, not current mortgage quotations.
What the figures measure
The research describes borrowing across a group of transactions over a defined period. It does not tell an individual buyer how much a lender will offer, what their interest rate will be or whether buying is affordable for their household.
A total lending figure can increase when more people buy, when individual loans become larger, or through a combination of changes. Readers should avoid treating an increase in total borrowing as proof that every buyer has become better off. The headline also says nothing on its own about how comfortably borrowers can meet their monthly commitments.
Build a household budget before comparing loans
For a prospective buyer, a useful starting point is a written budget that separates the deposit from money needed after completion. Consider moving costs, essential repairs, insurance and an emergency reserve alongside the mortgage payment. A lender’s maximum offer need not become the buyer’s spending target.
When comparing illustrations, place the interest rate, fees, initial payment and later payment assumptions side by side. Ask a regulated mortgage adviser to explain anything that is unclear, including the consequences of a longer term or an early repayment charge. Keep the date of each illustration so that an old example is not mistaken for an available offer.
Use market reports as context
A national report can help explain the backdrop to a purchase. It cannot replace a property valuation, an assessment of household finances or advice on a particular mortgage. Anyone returning to this archive article should obtain fresh product information before making a borrowing decision.
Archive review: 16 October 2026. The original publication date is retained; the statistics above relate specifically to the year ending September 2025.