Whether you are the type to write resolutions or not, a new year is a powerful motivator for change. And, this year, that could mean big change. Will 2026 be the year you purchase your first home? And could that home be somewhere you’ve never considered, or even been?! Debbie Clark explores why you should consider upping sticks in ’26!
As we move through a new year it is natural to make plans and reassess, and for first time buyers with hopes to buy this year, it is encouraging to note that monthly mortgage costs as a share of income are at their lowest level since 2022.
Amanda Bryden, Head of Halifax Mortgages, is optimistic for first time buyers in 2026. She says, “While affordability remains challenging, the picture has improved compared to recent years, driven by a combination of above-inflation wage growth, lower interest rates and some expansion of eligibility criteria from mortgage lenders… lower interest rates and easing inflation should help to gradually improve homebuyers’ purchasing power.”
When choosing your first home, there are many factors you will need to consider and location is obviously one of the most important. The pandemic saw a shift, with thousands relocating from urban areas. However, a new survey by specialist home insurance provider, Homeprotect, suggests Gen Z are now prioritising proximity to large towns and cities over square footage again. The specialist insurer surveyed 2,000 UK adults to determine the most important factors when choosing a new home, and while nearly 45% of participants voted property and garden size their most important consideration, young buyers were more concerned with proximity to a large town or city.
Whether town or country, the temptation is to look for a property in an area you already know well – often where you grew up, studied or now work. After all, you know what you’re getting and there is a comfort in the familiar. However, if you don’t look further afield when buying your first home, you could be missing out! There are many compelling reasons to make this big life change an even more monumental one, by choosing to start your next chapter as a homeowner somewhere completely new.
Affordability
Getting more property for your money is likely to be high on your agenda as a first time buyer, so look at more affordable areas. You may find that, in a new area, your budget will stretch to an extra bedroom, for example, or give you outside space or off-street parking you didn’t think you could afford. Perhaps you are still a way from saving the deposit you need for your dream home in your desired location, but, if you were to relocate, you could be a homeowner this year!
Proximity to Friends and Family
Moving away from loved ones can understandably feel daunting but, with careful consideration, a move needn’t negatively impact your relationships – especially if you’ve managed to stretch to an extra bedroom to host them! Conversely, if you already have friends and family scattered across the country, relocating to a more central area – with strong transport links – could make your relationships stronger. Remember, anyone else could also move at any time so you need to prioritise the needs of you and your family!
Lifestyle
Think carefully about what is most important to you. Do you have hobbies that you would be able to pursue more actively if you were to relocate? Now is the perfect time to actively follow your interests. Do your research and find an area with great facilities and like-minded folk and you will feel right at home in no time!
Work-Life Balance
It is, of course, important to consider how a move will impact your commute and work-life balance. You may find that moving closer to work frees up time for hobbies and family, or you may decide that a longer commute is worth it for the benefits of living in your desired location. Either way, do your research as to the times and costs involved.
A Fresh Start
Relocating can help you to break old habits and routines and create new, healthier ones. It is an opportunity to ditch the old, and start the new life you have always wanted.
Finally, whatever your motivation to move somewhere new, know that you are not alone! You will meet plenty of others who have also taken the plunge, and who you already have something positive in common with when you start to make new connections.
Homes Available on the Market
CAMBOURNE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
SO Resi Cambourne From £52,500*
SO Resi Cambourne has a rare collection of Shared Ownership four bedroom houses in its Sheepfold phase. Nine miles west of Cambridge, Cambourne marries the convenience of new-town amenities with the charm of rural living. It will have easy access to the city thanks to East West Rail’s upcoming link, which will offer services into Cambridge in 15 minutes. A “planned town” that was conceived in 1994, Cambourne is now the largest settlement in South Cambridgeshire.
soresi.co.uk/find-a-property/so-resi-cambourne-sheepfold
020 8607 0550
*Based on a 10% share of the full market value of £525,000
NINFIELD, EAST SUSSEX
Ingrams Farm From £81,875*
This charming countryside development, with three and four bedroom houses, is located just four miles from Battle and eight miles from Hastings. The homes feature private gardens, allocated parking and energy-efficient designs. Ingrams Farm balances its peaceful village setting with excellent local amenities and strong road and rail connections. There are also two bedroom homes coming in future phases, all available through Shared Ownership.
shnewhomes.co.uk/properties/ingrams-farm
0300 555 2171
*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £327,500
WEMBLEY PARK
SO Resi Wembley Park
SO Resi Wembley Park is offering 79 high-quality one, two and three bedroom energy-efficient apartments in two landmark new buildings, with each home boasting a private balcony. Residents will also enjoy access to landscaped podium gardens and three years’ free car club membership with £50 driving credit. Wembley Park underground station is situated directly next door, offering access to the Lioness, Metropolitan, Jubilee and Bakerloo Lines.
soresi.co.uk/so-resi-wembley-park
020 8607 0550
*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £390,000
ST FRIDESWIDE, OXFORD
Priory Grove From £97,500*
Croudace Homes presents a new development of high-specification one and two bedroom energy-efficient apartments. Just half a mile from Oxford Parkway station, the development benefits from regular connections into London Marylebone in an hour and 12 minutes. There is also access to the wider motorway network through the A34 Pear Tree junction and the A40. Summertown High Street – home to Marks & Spencer, Gail’s, Tesco and Sainsbury’s – is also nearby.
croudacehomes.co.uk/new-homes/oxfordshire/priory-grove
01865 597 300
Case study
Benito, an Electrical Commissioning Engineer, has just bought his first home in Salford at the age of 23. When his parents decided to sell the family home in south Manchester, Benito decided it was time to buy a place of his own. He saved hard for a deposit, taking on all the overtime he could at work, while still living with his parents. A year later, with help from Shared Ownership with Latimer, he purchased a beautiful one bedroom apartment at Furness Quay in Salford.
Benito hadn’t heard of Shared Ownership until it was suggested to him by his mortgage adviser. He explains, “I had managed to save up £14,000 in total, but I needed some of that for the legal fees associated with buying, as well as for furniture. Shared Ownership was perfect for me – it was an easy process and meant that I could buy a much nicer home than if I tried to buy somewhere outright.”
Benito used around £8,000 of his savings as a 10% deposit, buying 50% of a third floor apartment with a full market value of £176,000 which, he says, “took the worry out of the financial side of buying”. He plans to purchase the remaining 50% of his home as finances allow.
By relocating to Salford, Benito has cut his commute in half and he is enjoying exploring his new surroundings. “The location is superb,” he says. “I’m two minutes’ walk from the waterfront and five from Media City. It’s a lovely area to walk around or sit and relax with a drink. I like having the cinema nearby, plus there’s a great little shopping centre with loads of independent food stalls. My girlfriend and I rode e-bikes around the area to explore, which was really fun. There’s also a lovely park just opposite Furness Quay, so I have greenery right on my doorstep.”
Having completed his purchase at the end of April 2025, Benito is now well settled and, reflecting on his experience, says, “I’m glad I chose to buy with Shared Ownership with Latimer. I would certainly recommend it to others. The sales team was very helpful, making everything clear during the buying process and ensuring everything was progressing well. They were very helpful and responsive with a couple of snagging items after I moved in, too. Altogether, it was a very positive experience.”
First Time Buyer is an exciting bi-monthly glossy which takes a stylish and comprehensive look at all the options available, setting them out in an entertaining and informative way, and helping potential customers navigate their way through what is often a daunting and complex process. We dispel the myths, reinforce the facts and arm the reader with the tools necessary to make their homeownership dreams a reality.
