08/06/2026
Is the property ladder getting harder to climb and what does it mean if you're thinking of selling? 🏠
Rightmove has just confirmed that the price gap between a typical first-time buyer home and a second-stepper property has hit a record high of 52%, the widest since records began in 2001. In cash terms, that's a jump of nearly £119,000 between an average first home and a mid-market three/ four bedroom property. In London, the gap is even sharper, with typical second-stepper homes sitting at nearly £789,000 compared to a first-time buyer average of just over £491,000.
Flats have particularly seen slower price growth over the last decade, up just 8%, compared to 34% for houses; which means many first-time buyers are finding it harder to build the equity needed to move on.
For homeowners who have already made that first step and are now considering selling, this is worth understanding. Buyer pools are changing. The people looking at your home and what they need from a move has shifted. And positioning your property correctly in this environment is more nuanced than it was even 12 months ago.
At Gray's Residential, we work closely with sellers to make sure their property is priced, marketed, and positioned to attract the right buyers at the right time. If you're thinking of selling and want an honest conversation about where your home sits in the current market, contact our team.
📞Phone: 0207 978 0104
🌐Website: www.graysresidential.co.uk
➡️Read the full Rightmove report here: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/articles/property-news/price-gap-first-second-homes-record-high/
