Lloyds Bank research reveals UK homeowners’ housing aspirations show signs of optimism

• Almost three quarters of homeowners (74%) believe that they will achieve their long-term family home in no more than two more moves
• 81% of homeowners believe they will have to wait longer to reach their long-term family home than they would have a decade ago – however this number has fallen from 88% in 2012
• Three-bedroom homes are the most popular choice – two in five (40%) said this was what they aspired to – the average price of a three bedroom home in 2016 is £222,745

LONDON, 09-Sep-2016 — /EuropaWire/ — The latest research from Lloyds Bank has revealed that homeowners are gradually starting to feel more optimistic about the time it will take them to move into their long-term family home.

Whilst four out of five homeowners (81%) believe that they will have to wait longer to achieve their long-term aspiration than they would have a decade ago, the report shows that the number of homeowners thinking that has fallen steadily from 88% in 2012.

Similarly, whilst this year’s study shows that four in 10 (41%) believe the uncertain housing market has had an impact on housing aspirations, this number has fallen from 53% in 2012.

However a third (33%) said that they had expected to be further along the housing ladder than they currently are. The figure is higher for first-time buyers, with 43% saying they were lagging behind their expectations. By comparison, only 20% of those on their fourth move or more felt they were not where they had expected to be on the housing ladder.

Almost three quarters (74%) believe that they will achieve their long-term family home in no more than two more moves.

Andrew Mason, Lloyds Bank Mortgage Products Director, said: “There’s still a perception amongst a large number of homeowners that their long-term aspirational home seems far off and they are not moving up the housing ladder as quickly as they had hoped, although this perception has been gradually improving over the last few years.

“Those who are further up the property ladder appear to be more satisfied with their progression, whereas those who are just starting out may feel that they have a mountain to climb before they reach their long-term home. Despite that, first-time buyers are in a slightly better position to move than they were a year ago and are the group most likely to be on the move.”

Three bedroom homes the most popular choice

A three-bedroom home was the most popular choice to aspire to for a long-term home, with two in five (40%) saying that was their ideal home. One in four (24%) said that they wanted a four bedroom home. The most popular ‘extras’ on homeowners’ wish lists were gardens, garage space and conservatories.

The average price of a three bedroom home in 2016 stood at £222,745, with the average total income of the occupants being £51,494.

However, regionally there are large variations on both house prices and income which affect affordability of these properties. In London (£485,050) and the South East (£317,355), house prices are significantly higher. However, average incomes of the applicants are also higher too (£97,358 and £65,095 respectively), helping affordability in those regions. Despite this, London and the South East remain the least affordable regions for these homes and as a result applicants are on average 36 years old, which is a year older than the national average.

In contrast, long-term family homes in the North and Wales are more affordable with the average three bed property costing £142,506 in the North and £145,500 in Wales. Average incomes of the applicants are lower (£41,088 and £39,155 respectively), but long-term homes are still more affordable in both regions. As a result the average age of the applicants is lower than the national average (35) in the North and Wales (both 34).

Reasons for moving

The most popular reasons cited for wanting to move to a new property were wanting to move to a new area (40%), looking to downsize (38%), current property too small (27%) and wanting a bigger garden (14%).

More than half had been in their current property for more than a decade and the average length of time homeowners had been in their current property was 7.7 years. For first-time buyers this was 6.9 years, for second steppers 8.1 years, for third steppers 7.9 years and for fourth steppers 8.2 years.

ENDS

For full release

For further information
Mike McPartlin
07795 316090
Michael.mcpartlin@lloydsbanking.com

Eve Speight
07585 965319
eve.speight@lloydsbanking.com

SOURCE:  Lloyds Banking Group