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Why Now is the Perfect Time to Buy: First-Time Buyer Mortgage Repayments 20% Lower Than Renting

Natalie Wilson
Natalie Wilson
Mar 14, 2025

For many first-time buyers, the thought of owning a home may seem out of reach, but new research from Zoopla brings fantastic news—buying a home is now, on average, 20% cheaper than renting across Great Britain!

If you've been holding off on getting onto the property ladder, now could be the ideal time to make your move. 

Buying vs. Renting: The Savings Speak for Themselves

With rental prices at record highs, owning your own home is not only an investment in your future, but also a more affordable monthly option. Based on an average 20% deposit (£50,740) for a typical first-time buyer home priced at £253,700, mortgage repayments are lower than rental costs in almost every region.

Some of the biggest savings are found in the North East, where homeowners pay 24% less than renters each month. Major cities like Newcastle (34%), Liverpool (31%), and Cardiff (31%) also show huge benefits to buying over renting. Even in areas where costs are similar, owning a home means investing in your future rather than paying off someone else's mortgage.

Making Homeownership a Reality

While saving for a deposit remains a key challenge for some buyers, many first-time buyers are turning to family support or government schemes to help secure their home. Deposit requirements vary across the country, ranging from £27,700 in the North East to £83,400 in London, but with lower monthly costs than renting, homeownership is more attainable than ever.

At Strata, we understand that buying your first home is a big step, which is why we offer guidance at every stage. From helping you explore available schemes to connecting you with trusted mortgage advisors who can find the best deal for you, free of charge. Our team is here to make the journey to homeownership as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Why Mortgage Rules Could Make Buying Even Easier

With strong demand for housing and rents continuing to rise, there are discussions around adjusting mortgage regulations to make it even easier for renters to transition into homeownership. By loosening lending rules slightly while maintaining responsible borrowing, more middle-income renters could take advantage of the affordability benefits of buying.

Schemes like the ‘First-time Buyer Boost’ increase the maximum loan-to-income ratio from 4.49 to 5.5, meaning first-time buyers can now borrow an extra 1x their salary.

For example, a household earning £50,000 with a 10% deposit can now borrow up to £275,000 (an increase of 22%). To qualify, buyers must have a combined income of at least £50,000, a loan-to-value ratio of 90% or less, and not be using shared ownership or shared equity.

Ourrentingversusbuyinganalysisisfantasticnewsforfirst-timebuyerswhohavefacedrisingrentsoverthelastthreeyears.Now,morethanever,buyingisthesmarterfinancialchoice.
Richard Donnell
Executive Director at Zoopla

Why Now is the Time to Act

With mortgage repayments significantly lower than rent in most areas, there has never been a better time to consider buying your first home. Instead of paying towards your landlord’s mortgage, you could be investing in your own future and creating a home that’s truly yours.

At Strata, we don’t just build homes, we help first-time buyers move in with confidence. Our team is on hand to guide you through every step, from choosing the right home to securing the best mortgage deal. Explore our developments today and take the first step toward owning a home that reflects you.

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