Ed Tranmer from Wharfedale estate agents Tranmer White looks at why 2026 could be a good year for young house hunters looking to get a foot on the property ladder.

It’s been a long time since first time buyers have had reason to take a positive outlook on their chances of stepping onto the housing ladder.

The unique circumstances in the aftermath of the pandemic led to an incredibly buoyant market, this inevitably resulted in strong house price growth, which kept that first home purchase out of reach for many. This was followed by the now infamous Liz Truss mini-budget which saw mortgage rates rise steeply and quickly.

Throw high living costs, slow wage growth and a general despondency into the mix and that’s quite a cocktail of negativity.

Yet despite all of that, there may just be some green shoots appearing for young house-hunters.

Many forecasts point to modest house price growth in the 2% – 4% range over the next year. Nothing like the dizzying rises seen between 2020 and 2022. Wage growth is not predicted to rise notably but mortgage lenders affordability tests are likely to ease.

And then we have The Renters Rights Bill, which received royal assent in October. Why might this legislation help first time buyers you ask?

Well, one trend we have noted locally is landlords looking to either downsize their portfolio and exit the market completely and The Renters Rights Bill seems to have been the final straw in most cases. Many of these former letting properties are classic first time buyer fuel, well within the stamp duty exemption threshold of £300,000, two bedroomed terraced properties and lower value apartments.

If the first few weeks of 2026 are anything to go by, this year should see a solid and steady market. If the government can just hold things together and avoid any embarrassing revelations that could upset the applecart….

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