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Gloucestershire Business News

Next generation thinks property ladder is child’s play

The UK's next generation of first-time buyers is facing shocking home truths about getting on the properly ladder, with one in five 11 to 14-year-olds expecting to borrow as much money as they want to buy a house.

Research from Halifax has revealed a disjointed picture of home ownership among young people aged between 11 and 21 over the biggest financial commitment of a lifetime, and a wake-up call for future first-time buyers to get more clued up on 'adulating.'

A third of young people aged 11 to 14 are banking on mum and dad to cough up the cash, meanwhile more than one in five of their 18 to 21-year-old counterparts (21 per cent) are relying on the government to help them on to the property ladder.

Future first-time buyers have high hopes for becoming homeowners and 59 per cent of 18-21-year-olds feel it's very important to own a home, but the report found a clear gap in house price outlook.

One in five 11-21-year-olds in London think they can snap up a home from as little as £50k up to £200k - when the average first-time buyer house price in London is £422,580.

While over a quarter (27 per cent) those aged 18 to 21 believe they'll be homeowners by the time they are 25, in reality they will have to wait another five years until they are 30, or 32 if they are planning to live in London.

Almost one in four (23 per cent) 15 to 17-year-olds believe that only rich people own their own homes, which is not surprising if a quarter of youngsters that age expect to save for 20 years towards a deposit.

Young men were more optimistic, as 23 per cent of those aged 18 to 21 reckon a deposit of between £5,000 and £10,000 is enough to buy a home, whereas only 5% of females thought that would be enough - a bit short of the actual UK first-time buyer deposit mark at £32,321.

With an eye on the future, a fifth (20 per cent) of 18 to 21-year-olds are counting on inheritance to pay off their mortgage.

Russell Galley, managing director, Halifax, said: "Despite being one of the most important financial decisions we're ever likely to make, becoming a homeowner feels like a mystery for Generation Z ,who will soon be thinking about flying the nest.

"Although our research found that the vast majority of 11 to 14-year-olds understand what a mortgage is, one in 10 aged 18 to 21 think Stamp Duty is money to pay for stamps - so there's clearly a job for all of us to help kids get a better idea of what's involved with taking the first step on to the property ladder."

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