First-time buyers have emerged as the most resilient part of the market in 2025, according to a new poll by Countrywide Surveying Services (CSS). The results, taken from the latest in CSS’s regular webinar series, show that half of property professionals (50%) believe the first-time buyer segment will perform strongest this year.
The webinar, attended by over 250 participants across the mortgage and property sectors, also highlighted growing confidence in the wider housing market. Over half of respondents (54%) expressed confidence in the outlook for 2025, while 37% remained neutral and just 9% said they were not confident.
Beyond first-time buyers, other sectors attracting optimism included new build (18%) and later life lending (13%). Buy-to-let was selected by just 3% of respondents, while only 2% cited foreign national and expat lending. A notable 14% selected ‘none’, suggesting caution or uncertainty across specific lending segments.
Matthew Cumber, managing director at Countrywide Surveying Services, said: “These insights paint a picture of a market that is still navigating economic pressures and grappling with fundamental issues but is starting to see signs of stabilisation and resilience. It’s encouraging to see such strong confidence emerging towards first-time buyers and new build, but the message from the industry is clear in that affordability and housing supply must be prioritised if we want to see sustainable growth.”
The poll also revealed that affordability remains the most pressing concern, cited by 38% of respondents. A further 30% said that reducing interest rates was the top priority, while 11% called for a replacement for Help to Buy. Stamp duty reform and landlord support were each identified by 9% of respondents, with 3% highlighting the need to boost later life lending.
Despite cautious optimism in certain sectors, confidence in the Government’s delivery of housing and new build targets remains low. When asked whether they believed the Government would meet its 2025 goals for affordable housing, 74% said no, compared to just 26% who said yes.
Speakers at the session included Terry Higgins, group managing director at New Build Mortgage Services; Aneisha Beveridge, head of research at Hamptons; Martyn Stones, director of technical services at CSS; and Rob Stevens, head of property risk at Nationwide Building Society.
