Cumbrian first-time buyers find it harder to get on the property ladder than they would in other parts of the country.

That’s according to research by The Cumberland, which has prompted it to launch a new initiative to help.

Analysis by the building society showed first-time buyers accounted for 44 per cent of all homes bought with a mortgage in the region during the first 10 months of 2018. Last year’s figures also saw a drop in the number of first-time buyers compared to the same period 12 months earlier.

Nationally a recent report suggested that first-time buyers were at their highest level for 20 years - accounting for 50 per cent of all homes bought with a mortgage - and double what they were in 2008.

It is believed a number of Government-supported Help to Buy schemes have helped, but their impact appears to have been less pronounced in Cumbria.

The Cumberland believes people may be put off stepping on to the housing ladder because they perceive it to be difficult or unaffordable. To help it is launching an initiative to reach out to more potential first-time buyers with a £1,000 cashback offer as an incentive – in addition to its range of mortgages that require only a five per cent deposit and its family assistance mortgages.

That means that to purchase a property of £80,000, a first-time buyer would need a deposit of £4000, and they’d get £1,000 back when they complete.

The Cumberland’s area sales manager David Stewart says some people have a ‘mind block’ which puts them off becoming homeowners.

“Many people think it’s difficult to buy their first home, and there’s a common perception that it’s costly. This is completely understandable. However, there is a lot of help available, from savings accounts that pay bonuses to mortgages that require just five per cent deposit. We have this week introduced our new range of £1000 cashback mortgages, which we know will help considerably with the costs of buying your first home.”

“It’s a lot easier to buy your first home than it has been but if you’ve never done it before you can’t be expected to know this! We do find that a lot of people come to us in rented accommodation and are surprised to find that it’s as expensive as a mortgage is.

“In Carlisle, for example, you can buy a two bedroom terraced property for £60-70,000 so you are not looking at a massive deposit for those properties,” he added.

The Cumberland this week launches its £1,000 cashback offer as part of its drive to help first-time buyers across the region. It has also launched a webchat and Facebook Messenger helpline allowing first-time buyers to ask anything, with quick reply during its opening hours.

It is also encouraging more people to meet with their mortgage advisors as early as possible so that they know what different schemes and options are available to them.