First-time buyers: active and asking questions of sellers

First-time buyers are the lifeblood of the property market. They allow everyone above them to move up the property ladder. Without them, the market stagnates. So, are first-time buyers active in 2026? The news is good.

Mortgage rates have been enticingly attractive for first-timer buyers and in March, What Mortgage? reported the widest choice of low-deposit mortgages for first-time buyers in almost two decades. 

And if the question was ‘is it cheaper to buy than rent?’, the answer was delivered in April. TwentyCi’s Q1 2026 Property & Homemover report revealed it’s almost £500 a month cheaper to own a home in the UK, rather than rent.

Together, these factors are stimulating novice buyer activity. Zoopla’s most recent house price index observed how first-timer buyers are showing the same purchasing confidence as existing homeowners. In London, almost half of sales agreed in January were to people who had never bought a property before.

First-time buyers are no longer naïve. They’re coming to the market educated and with their eyes wide open. Hardly surprisingly, given the average age of a first-time buyer was announced as 34 in March – up from 29 in 1994/95.

If your property is primed to attract first-time buyers, research shows there are some common questions you’ll be asked. Prepare your answers and you’ll prepare to impress.

How long is the chain?

Many first-time buyers will be living in rented accommodation and will have to give their landlord notice (a minimum of two months from 1st May 2026). This means the clock will be ticking. Buyers who currently rent will ideally need to avoid complicated chains as delays may force them to find stop-gap, temporary accommodation.

How much are your typical energy bills?

We’re all familiar with fluctuating energy bills, and are acutely aware how political turmoil can send the cost of gas and electricity soaring. First-time buyers will be budget conscious, and keen to know how much it costs to keep the property warm and powered. Be ready with utility bills, especially those that show how much you’re paying for gas and electricity in winter. 

How sustainable is the property?

Don’t be surprised if you’re also asked about your home’s sustainability measures. Recent research by King’s College London found younger people remain more concerned by climate change than older people. Be ready with information about your home’s EPC rating, insulation, appliance ratings and whether green installations, such as heat pumps or solar panels, are cost and carbon-effective.

Do you have an EV charging point?

In a similar vein is the cost of running a car. In April, the average price of a new electric car became cheaper than a new petrol model. At the same time, diesel and petrol reached some of their highest-ever ‘per litre’ costs. It’s no surprise that first-time buyers are increasingly motivated by moving in and having somewhere to plug in an electric car from day one.

Who provides the best broadband and mobile phone coverage?

Whether it is for working at home, streaming the latest boxset or updating Instagram accounts, asking the seller about connectivity is natural for first-time buyers in a way that didn’t exist 20 years ago. While Materials Information should include details on broadband (including type and an indication of speed) and mobile signal/coverage (including any known issues or restrictions), there’s no substitute for knowing the local area’s most reliable suppliers. And don’t be surprised if potential buyers whip out their phones to check those all-important bars.

If you are considering selling your home and want to be as prepared as possible, please get in touch. Our agents will create a compelling sales listing packed full of the information first-time buyers – and all purchasers – are desperate to know.