If you spent your Boxing Day finishing off the turkey sandwiches and browsing dream homes on your phone, you certainly weren’t alone. The property market has just woken up to its busiest start in history.
Three in five first-time buyers depend on the bank of mum and dad in order to get onto the property ladder, according to research by Just Group. In the last five years, 61 per cent of FTBs relied on financial help from relatives in order to purchase a property. In comparison, just 20 per cent of FTBs relied on financial assistance from relatives 30 years ago.
The UK mortgage market in 2026 has quickly traded stability for volatility. With global energy costs and inflation risks causing lenders to reprice deals overnight, the ‘wait and see’ approach is becoming a gamble most homeowners can't afford. Data from Q1 2026 reveals a 50% surge in mortgage instructions - a clear sign that savvy borrowers are moving early to build a financial moat around their homes.
