Recent research from the Building Societies Association has revealed a stark reality facing today’s housing market: millions of prospective homeowners have been left behind by their homeownership aspirations, creating what experts are calling “Generation Stuck.”
The data paints a concerning picture for the property market. Since 2006, approximately 7.2 million individuals or couples were anticipated to have purchased their first homes, yet only 5 million have successfully done so. This leaves a staggering 2.2 million “missing” first-time buyers who have been unable to realise their property ownership goals.
At ADM Residential, we are here to ensure you have all the information you need to make informed decisions in the Huddersfield property market.
The Scale of Frustrated Demand
The research reveals that 59% of renters aged 25-44 had expected to own a home by this stage of their lives but remain unable to purchase. Across all age groups, 43% of current renters had anticipated being homeowners by now but find themselves still renting.
Perhaps most telling is that amongst 25-44 year olds—traditionally the core demographic for first-time purchases—one-third believe they want to buy but will never be able to afford it. Meanwhile, only 8% actively choose not to own property, down from 15% five years ago, suggesting that most renters would prefer to own if circumstances permitted.
The Persistent Barriers
The obstacles preventing these potential buyers from entering the market remain frustratingly familiar:
Deposit Requirements: Two-thirds (67%) of aspiring first-time buyers identify raising a deposit as their primary challenge, with 61% of all potential buyers citing this as their main barrier.
Monthly Affordability: Nearly two-thirds (61%) find projected monthly mortgage payments unaffordable based on their current income levels.
Mortgage Access: Almost half (48%) of first-time buyers struggle to secure a sufficiently large mortgage to purchase suitable properties.
Employment Concerns: Job insecurity has become an increasing worry, with 26% citing this as a barrier—up from 19% in June 2023.
Market Confidence Remains Fragile
Current market sentiment reflects the challenging conditions. Only 15% of people believe now represents a good time to purchase property, down from 20% at the beginning of 2025. More than one-third (36%) consider current conditions unfavourable for buying.
Despite relatively stable house prices, expectations for the coming year suggest continued challenges. Nearly half (44%) of respondents anticipate price rises over the next 12 months, whilst only 12% expect prices to fall.
The Next Generation’s Diminishing Optimism
Among 18-24 year olds—the future first-time buyer cohort—86% express a desire to own property, with 28% hoping to purchase within five years. However, a growing proportion (19%) now believe they will never achieve homeownership, representing a significant increase from 12% five years ago.
This rising pessimism among younger renters suggests the problem may intensify rather than resolve naturally over time.
Implications for the Local Property Market
This research has several important implications for both current homeowners and the broader property market:
For Current Homeowners: The pool of potential buyers continues to shrink as affordability constraints persist. This could affect future sale prospects, particularly for properties typically suited to first-time buyers.
For the Rental Market: With millions unable to transition from renting to buying, demand for rental properties remains structurally high, potentially supporting rental yields but also indicating ongoing housing stress.
For Property Developers: The gap between aspiration and reality suggests a need for different types of housing solutions, potentially including more affordable options or alternative ownership models.
For Local Communities: Areas traditionally dependent on first-time buyer activity may see reduced turnover and changing demographic patterns as potential buyers remain in the rental sector longer than planned.
Looking Forward
The research suggests that without significant structural changes to housing policy, mortgage accessibility, or housing supply, the situation is likely to worsen rather than improve. The term “Generation Stuck” may become an increasingly accurate description of those caught between unaffordable purchase prices and a rental market offering no pathway to ownership.
For local property markets, this represents a fundamental shift in buyer demographics that may require adjusted expectations and strategies from all market participants. Understanding these constraints will be crucial for anyone involved in property transactions over the coming years.
The full implications of these trends will likely continue to unfold across local housing markets, including the Huddersfield market, making ongoing monitoring of affordability and accessibility essential for informed decision-making.
Contact ADM Residential to sell your Huddersfield home in 2025
Anyone who is keen to sell their home in Huddersfield should contact ADM Residential today. We are more than happy to provide you with a property valuation, which is the ideal starting point for anyone looking to enter the Huddersfield housing market with confidence.
This is a busy time of year in the local and national housing market, but we look forward to assisting you. Call on your leading Huddersfield estate agents today for help and guidance in the local market.
