More than half of aspiring homeowners doubt they will ever get on the property ladder, new research has found.
The latest annual survey from HomeOwners Alliance (HOA) shows that the proportion of non-homeowners with ambitions to get on the housing ladder has risen from 64% in 2025 to 73% this year.
However, the survey found that 52% of would-be homebuyers doubt they will ever achieve their goal.
The findings suggest that the lack of trust is exacerbated by widespread misunderstandings about mortgages.
HOA says many would-be homeowners might rule themselves out before exploring their options.
It found that 62% believe they need a deposit of at least 10%, despite the availability of mortgages with lower deposits.
Similarly, 49% think borrowing will always be limited to four or five times their income, although some lenders are now offering higher income multiples to eligible borrowers.
Almost half (47%) believe that the lowest interest rate automatically means the cheapest mortgage overall, ignoring fees and overall borrowing costs, while 40% believe their existing bank will offer the best mortgage deal.
A quarter think they can only explore mortgage options once they have found a home.
The research also highlights the barriers that prevent existing homeowners from moving.
Nearly three-quarters (74%) say financial factors such as mortgage rates, deposits and stamp duty need to improve to make moving easier.
Lower mortgage rates would encourage 42% of homeowners to move, rising to 50% among those with a mortgage.
More than a third (36%) say lower stamp duty would help, while 31% point to lower deposit requirements.
However, costs are not the only obstacle.
More than a third (37%) say reforms to the buying and selling process would make the move easier, with a quarter calling for transactions to be legally binding earlier to reduce fall-throughs, and one in five wanting a faster, more digital process.
The availability of suitable housing also limits mobility, especially among older homeowners.
Nearly a third of over-55s say more suitable housing, including bungalows and other later-life homes, would make it easier to move, compared to 27% of homeowners overall.
Paula Higgins, CEO of the HomeOwners Alliance, said: “It is deeply worrying that more than half of aspiring homeowners believe they will never get on the ladder.
“Some face very real affordability barriers, but others may be counting themselves out because of outdated assumptions about deposits, borrowing limits or whether they qualify for a mortgage.”
She adds that as well as tackling the myths surrounding mortgage eligibility, the government and industry need to address the high costs of moving, improve the buying and selling process and ensure the right homes are built for people at every stage of life.