First-home buyers defy affordability squeeze

Rising rents are boosting first home buyer numbers, despite higher interest rates. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

First-home buyers are making it onto the property ladder in respectable numbers, despite affordability challenges.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded a 4.3 per cent uptick in the number of new loan commitments to first-time owner-occupier purchasers in February.