More first-time buyers reported by Nationwide
October 30, 2025 by Mark
Home owners
Nationwide has revealed that the number of first-time buyers who are opting for its product called Helping Hands has risen significantly, following the decision by the lender to increase the maximum borrowing limit.
The building society has released data that covers the period from October last year to September 2025. This shows that roughly 23,000 people bought a first home using Helping Hands during that period. By comparison, the number for the same period a year earlier was 15,000. The big difference since then is that Nationwide lifted the maximum borrowing amount available with the product to six times’ annual income.
Another matter that the newly released figures show is that more Helping Hand mortgages are being completed for new build homes. That figure rose by a whopping 102% compared with the same period from one year earlier.
Among the possible reasons for it are changes to regulations. The Prudential Regulation Authority has loosened LTI flow limits, and the Financial Conduct Authority has made adjustments to the rules regarding stress rates.
Nationwide reacted to that latter move by altering its stress rates during the spring. The lender relaxed the criteria concerning minimum income and made Helping Hand available for new build homes with loan-to-value (LTV) of 95%.
Speaking to Mortgage Introducer, Henry Jordan from the lender said:
“These latest figures for the past 12 months show that our decision to increase borrowing up to six times income has been a game-changer for thousands of first-time buyers.”
Most mortgage advisors with CeMAP training will feel lenders need to do more regarding affordability.
Written by
Mark
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