Average age of an unassisted first-time buyer is 33
The proportion of unassisted first-time buyers has declined dramatically from 2005 to 2011 in every part of the UK, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
In 90% of all local authority areas, the proportion of those buying with assistance - typically from family members or friends - fell by between one quarter and one half from 2005 to 2011.
Since 2005 the CML says that the average age of all first-time buyers has remained steady at 29. But, by contrast, those buying without assistance rose sharply, from 30 in early 2008 to 33 just one year later.
19 December 2011