Total searches for FTBs increased by 45%, with the 18 to 30 and 56 to 65 age categories seeing significant rises of 53% and 80%, respectively.

This was followed by the 51 to 55 year old category, which saw a 44% increase, and the 31 to 40 year old category with a 37% increase.

L&G says the uptick in FTB searches in Q1 may have been driven by the Stamp Duty Land Tax deadline on 31st March 2025.

Buyers may have also taken advantage of the increased availability of sub-4% products to step onto the ladder.

In terms of property values, data from the Ignite platform shows that the most searched range in Q1 was the £150k to £250k category, accounting for 39% of all searches.

This is an increase from 36% in the last quarter of 2024.

Meanwhile, the most searched loan-to-value (LTV) category for FTBs was the 91% to 95% range, making up 34% of total searches.

However, over the same time frame, L&G also recorded a 43% increase in the number of FTBs searching for 51% to 55% LTV mortgages.

It says this may reflect an improvement in overall affordability, meaning the average borrower will be less overleveraged in Q1 2025 than the average borrower in Q4 2024.

L&G Mortgage Services managing director Kevin Roberts says: “A strong start to the year for first-time buyers is more than encouraging – it’s a positive sign of the market’s health as we head into spring, a traditionally busy period for property sales and new listings.”

“Lower mortgage rates have been a feature of the first quarter of the year, with several major lenders now offering products at rates below 4%. Although the artificial stimulus of the lower stamp duty threshold is now over, the outlook is positive. It’s great to see first-time buyers in a position where they can really engage with the market.”

“There are plenty of options out there for first-time buyers, with some major lenders cutting rates exclusively for this group. We know that many buyers use financial gifts from loved ones to secure their first home, but not everyone can rely on this support.”