While first-time buyers chase higher LTV deals, equity-rich homeowners opt to lock in for longer
Existing homeowners appear increasingly cautious, with recent mortgage search activity suggesting they are prioritising financial stability over moving home, according to analysis of Moneyfactscompare.co.uk data for February 2026.
Data from consumers comparing fixed-rate mortgages on the site shows a marked contrast between first-time buyers and existing borrowers. While those entering the market remain concentrated in higher loan-to-value (LTV) ranges, second-time buyers and homemovers are more likely to focus on lower-risk borrowing, indicating a preference for predictable repayments rather than stretching affordability to facilitate a move.
Among second-time buyers and homemovers researching mortgages, 45% are examining fixed-rate products with terms of five years or more. This pattern suggests many households expect interest rates to remain uncertain and are seeking payment security rather than taking shorter-term rate risk.
Coupled with slower house price growth, the figures indicate that many existing owners may be choosing to move only when necessary rather than trading up opportunistically.
“Mortgage search behaviour reveals that while first-time buyers continue to stretch into higher loan-to-value borrowing out of necessity, existing homeowners are prioritising lower risk and greater financial certainty,” said Adam French (pictured right), head of consumer finance at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk.
“Data also shows almost half of second-time buyers and homemovers are opting for fixes of five years or longer, significantly more than first-time buyers or remortgage borrowers. At the same time, searches are heavily concentrated at lower LTV tiers among existing borrowers, with more than two-thirds of remortgage borrowers looking at loans of 60% LTV or below.
“This suggests many households are choosing stability over mobility. Slower house price growth means fewer homeowners are trading up quickly and instead are focusing on protecting affordability and insulating themselves from future economic and rate uncertainty. The housing ladder hasn’t stopped moving, but in an increasingly volatile - and expensive - world, it appears plenty of prospective borrowers are climbing it much more cautiously.”
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