Experian says figures reveal the UK’s widening ‘homebuying gap’, as the average age of a first-time buyer increases to 34.7 years, up from 33.7 in 2024.

The data found that the proportion of 18 to 24-year-old buyers has fallen from 9.1% to 7.3%, while those buying between the ages of 35 and 44 has surged to over 30%.

As buyers wait longer to get on the ladder, they are also borrowing more with the average mortgage for a first-time buyer now at £230,000, a rise of 5.5%, compared to £202,000 for non-first-time buyers.

In 2025 alone, first-time buyers borrowed a £115bn in mortgages, representing 39% of all mortgage volume.

As part of the data release, Experian has also announced the appointment of Al Nash as head of mortgage enlightenment.

The campaign, which launches today, seeks to empower the next generation of buyers to get their credit scores ‘mortgage-ready’ earlier in life.

Experian consumer affairs expert John Webb says: “The data shows a clear trend: the goalposts for first-time buyers keep moving. With buyers taking on larger loans later in life, and many facing the prospect of paying off their mortgage into retirement, getting your financial ducks in a row early has never been more critical.”

“The mortgage market is intimidating, but your credit score doesn’t have to be. We brought Al Nash on board because humour is a powerful tool to break down the taboo of financial anxiety and help people realise that with the right data, they have more power than they think.”