Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Strategy. Read the original article for full details.

First-Time Buyers Targeting Homes £10k Higher Than Last Year, Says Zoopla

First-time buyers are now seeking homes with average prices £10,000 higher than a year ago, according to Zoopla’s latest House Price Index. The average price targeted by first-time buyers is £254,750, which is 4.3% higher than last year.

Zoopla’s data shows this increase is nearly three times the headline rate of wider UK house price growth, which stands at 1.5%. The average UK house price is now £271,900. Despite a 6% decrease in the number of first-time buyers compared to last year, Zoopla reports that those remaining in the market are not compromising on their property choices.

Overall, UK sales agreed are running 1% ahead of last year, marking the first positive sales agreed figure of 2026, even though buyer demand is down 10%. The index also notes that UK house price inflation has edged up to 1.5%, with prices rising between 2% and 3.6% in northern regions, while remaining flat or negative in London and the South East.

Housing market activity is described as holding up despite uncertainty and higher borrowing costs. However, with fewer buyers than a year ago, the outlook is said to remain finely balanced.

For letting agents and inventory clerks, these trends suggest that while the number of first-time buyers has fallen, those still active are seeking higher-value properties and are less willing to compromise. This could impact the types of properties in demand and the speed at which transactions are completed, particularly in regions where price growth is stronger.