Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, has responded to the latest findings from the Nationwide House Price Index, welcoming signs of improving affordability while warning that significant barriers to homeownership remain for many prospective buyers.
Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, comments:
“While it’s encouraging to see affordability improving and first-time buyer activity picking up, this report underlines that homeownership remains out of reach for many, particularly those on lower and middle incomes. The fact that a typical first-time buyer still needs close to six years to save for a 10% deposit shows just how significant the deposit barrier remains, especially in London and the South of England.
“Regional and occupational disparities continue to shape who can realistically buy a home. Too many buyers are still reliant on financial help from family and friends, and this risks entrenching inequalities between those with access to support and those without.
“To sustain and broaden access to homeownership, we need a joined-up approach that includes boosting housing supply, particularly of genuinely affordable homes, alongside targeted support for first-time buyers. Improving affordability is a step in the right direction, but it must translate into fairer access to housing across all regions and professions.”
