Buying is cheaper than renting in every area except London and the average first-time buyer (outside London) could save £87 a month once on the property ladder, according to the research which shows the average first-time buyer mortgage payment is now £334 a month.
Only those in the capital will be better off if they continue renting. Despite rental prices in London being roughly 56% higher than the average across the UK, at £701 a month, exceptionally high house prices mean it would, on average, cost potential first-time buyers an additional £359 a month to buy.
The research into typical first time buyer flats and terraced properties found the average price across the country to be £115,657. This means that a first-time buyer, applying for a 75% loan-to-value mortgage (the average LTV for first-time buyers according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders) would require a deposit of £28,914.
Phil Cliff, director of mortgage marketing at Santander UK said: "People have been justifiably cautious in approaching the housing market in recent months but this research strongly supports the idea that in the majority of cases owning can be less expensive than renting.
"The now ‘average' LTV of 75% for first-time-buyers has provided an obstacle in some cases but saving for a deposit is clearly a wise move. Lenders are also looking to offer higher LTV products while the Government's announcement that it will help boost the number of new homes is all positive news for those wishing to take their first steps on the property ladder. We were the first lender to increase our maximum first-time-buyer LTVs on apartments and houses to 80% and 90% respectively, demonstrating our continued commitment to the FTB market."
Santander also has a number of products available to help those looking to purchase a property for the first time including a three year fix at 5.99% up to 90% LTV with £495 fee. For those homebuyers seeking a more flexible option Santander also offers a two year tracker at 4.99% up to 90% LTV with £499 fee. This product includes free valuation and £250 cashback on completion to help reduce upfront costs.
The savings to be made through buying, as opposed to renting, have increased dramatically in the last six months. In October last year the average saving for those potential first-time buyers able to buy was £52 a month. The climb in potential savings to £87 now represents an increase of 67%.
Phil Cliff continued: "The first few months of 2010 have seen rents start to climb which has meant that the savings to be made for potential first-time buyers have grown considerably. We hope the new Government honours the last's pledge on stamp duty to continue support for the FTB market and help those considering getting on the housing ladder to buy rather than rent."
