At what age is 'normal' to buy? How old were you?

Poppy9

I was 22 but it was 30 years ago!

DRP

Studied/rented til I was 26.

Bought at 27 with then-girlfriend.

Bought 2nd at 37 with then-girlfriend/now-wife (am now 39).

I don't think it matters your age, but it matters that prior to buying you need to be save-save-saving - otherwise you've no chance.

SG27

Just turned 30.

Bossypants

Jhoney wrote: »

Went for it at 19, with a full time job and no help. But i'm a fan of making my own way regardless.

'These days' people feel it's okay to go and live back home whilst they save, parents/in-laws gifting them deposits etc because the media says that's what everyone is doing. I don't agree or think it's fair on parents from a non financial POV e.g raised their kids and now time for them and their way of life again - which was on hold due to raising the family iyswim.

Whether they agree to the imposition on not, that's what it is and it's unfair, imo.

If you are able, step out into the world and find your future, you will enjoy or learn from the experiences along the way.

To an extent I agree on the living at home part, only because I know far too many of my parents' friends who put on a happy face for their living-at-home kids ('We LOVE having you here! Stay as long as you want!'), only to complain non-stop to their friends about how they wish their coddled kids would move out already, but not on the deposit bit. It's a natural human instinct to want to provide for and pass something on to your children. In my case, I told my parents I was planning to buy at 24 after I had worked out how I was going to do it financially (deposit, etc), only for them to turn around and offer me a rather substantial gift which they had been saving for this moment, which they were pleased to be able to offer me. They didn't have to, I could have managed without, but they wanted to, and I continue to be grateful to them now as it gives me more financial options in the world.

Jhoney_2

Bossypants wrote: »

To an extent I agree on the living at home part, only because I know far too many of my parents' friends who put on a happy face for their living-at-home kids ('We LOVE having you here! Stay as long as you want!'), only to complain non-stop to their friends about how they wish their coddled kids would move out already, but not on the deposit bit. It's a natural human instinct to want to provide for and pass something on to your children. In my case, I told my parents I was planning to buy at 24 after I had worked out how I was going to do it financially (deposit, etc), only for them to turn around and offer me a rather substantial gift which they had been saving for this moment, which they were pleased to be able to offer me. They didn't have to, I could have managed without, but they wanted to, and I continue to be grateful to them now as it gives me more financial options in the world.

Sorry if I wasn't clear, what is done by parents with their money was not meant to be anything to do with what I was saying. As a parent, I understand that too.

It was in reference to the media talking about the bank of mum and dad and the OP asking what 'everybody else' is doing - I wasn't even referring to OP in particular just a recent mindset that financial gifts and moving/staying at home is acceptable because society says everyone is doing it.

For clarity, only the last sentence or two were for OP.

Bossypants

Jhoney wrote: »

Sorry if I wasn't clear, what is done by parents with their money was not meant to be anything to do with what I was saying. As a parent, I understand that too.

It was in reference to the media talking about the bank of mum and dad and the OP asking what 'everybody else' is doing - I wasn't even referring to OP in particular just a recent mindset that financial gifts and moving/staying at home is acceptable because society says everyone is doing it.

For clarity, only the last sentence or two were for OP.

Thank you for clarifying, that does make more sense!

Hoploz

I was 25, in 1999.

You have a good deposit, my advice is always get on the ladder as soon as you can.

What are prices like in your area? Have you spoken to a broker yet? What can you get for your budget?

Waterlily24

21 but that was 1968.

Goldiegirl

I was 21, that was 34 years ago.

But it doesn't matter how old other people were when they bought their house - just concentrate on what is right for you

merrydance

I was 24 worked for a building society. It was very difficult for us to save for a deposit worked full-time and also 3 nights a week in a coffee shop to earn money. My husband was 34 no help from parents for us. The house only cost £11,OOO I owe more than that on my credit card now.