Second Steppers' housing affordability improves

Home affordability for Second Steppers has improved over the past year as a result of higher equity levels according to the latest Lloyds TSB Homemovers Review.

The research showed:

Housing affordability for Second Steppers - calculated as the average price of a typical Second Stepper home less their current equity position - stood at 4.4 times gross annual average earnings in June 2013 compared with a ratio of 4.9 in June 2012.

A typical Second Stepper's current equity position accounts for 13% (£21,200) of the price of an average Second Stepper home, a rise from 1% in 2012.

Although the position has improved for those looking to put down a deposit on a new home, for some potential second home movers this may still not be sufficient to put towards a deposit when also taking the cost of moving into account.

There were around 149,000 homemover mortgages in the first half of 2013, marginally (2%) lower than a year earlier as low consumer confidence and a fragile economy impacted transactions in the early part of 2013. This is in sharp contrast to the 19% increase in first-time buyers.

The average homemover deposit in 2013 currently stands at £70,540 and the average age of a homemover is 40.

Nitesh Patel, housing economist at Lloyds TSB, said: "Housing affordability for the typical Second Stepper has improved in the past year.

“Nonetheless, there are many potential Second Steppers who are still in their first home which they bought in the run-up to, and at, the peak in house prices in 2007. Many of these homeowners may still be unable to move due to having either very low, or negative, equity in their homes.

"The lack of equity for many homeowners in their existing home largely explains why the number of homemovers in the first six months of 2013 was broadly unchanged compared with a year earlier in sharp contrast to the number of first-time buyers growing by close to 20% over the period."

There is considerable variation in housing affordability between regions, with northern regions more affordable than southern regions for second steppers. This is largely a reflection of the lower prices for second stepper properties in the north.

Peter Lawrence at Lawrence Rand said: “This survey reinforces our view that the housing market is improving with more people finding themselves able to make the move they desire.”