First steps onto property ladder

Five ways first-time buyers can prepare to enter housing market in 2026

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Aspiring first-time buyers looking to enter the housing market this year may be able to make their experience go more smoothly by taking certain steps to prepare, according to a property expert.

According to research published by Nationwide Building Society, a 10% deposit on a typical UK first-time buyer property is around £23,000.

Average asking prices for homes have also been jumping in recent weeks.

Property website Rightmove recently said that the average price tag on a home jumped by 2.8% or nearly £10,000 in January, marking the biggest increase since June 2015.