First-time buyers made up 48% of house hunters in London this year, data shows

Hamptons said the average first-time buyer in London spent £443,550, which was £39,360 more than last year. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Almost half of house hunters in London at the beginning of this year were first-time buyers as cheaper mortgage deals slowed the exodus from the capital, figures from a leading estate agent show.

First-time buyers made up 48% of purchasers in the city between January and June, according to analysis by Hamptons of data from Countrywide estate agents.