Buyers bring forward property purchase plans, says MAB

Homebuyers are showing growing confidence about their ability to step onto the property ladder, with new data from Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) revealing that the time buyers expect to move from browsing to completion has more than halved in the past five years.

Figures drawn from MAB’s My MAB and Homebuying apps show that the median time frame anticipated by aspiring buyers has fallen from 11.14 months in 2021 to 5.83 months this year.

The most dramatic shift came between 2022 and 2023, when the median dropped from eight months to just under six, a level which has since held steady.

Analysts point to a combination of higher interest rates, a cooling of the seller’s market, and greater financial preparedness among would-be homeowners as key reasons for the change. Instead of waiting for a return to ultra-low mortgage rates, buyers are adopting a more proactive approach, positioning themselves to secure properties sooner.

MORE PROACTIVE APPROACH

MAB’s research highlights that 88% of first-time buyers in 2025 expect to purchase a home within 18 months, up from 75% in 2021. The vast majority – 97% – believe they will own a property within three years. Only a small fraction, 3%, foresee waiting longer than that, underlining ongoing affordability challenges for some.

“Our latest research signals a new era of confidence for prospective buyers, who are taking more of an empowered approach to getting on the property ladder,” said Rachel Geddes, strategic lender relationship director at MAB.

“This proactive belief, coupled with the expertise and insight of a mortgage broker, can place prospective buyers in an even stronger position to streamline their homebuying journey.

“The sharp reduction in expected purchase times also aligns perfectly with Project 28 – a new charter we’re supporting in collaboration with fellow industry bodies to significantly shorten the property transaction process.

“Through this, we’re giving buyers increased confidence, helping reduce delays, and improving the homebuying process overall.”

The findings suggest a market recalibrated to higher borrowing costs, where confidence is no longer rooted in waiting for cheaper finance but in planning, preparation and professional advice. For many first-time buyers, the pathway to ownership is now measured in months rather than years.