The growing reliance of the property market on Help to Buy has been exposed as just one in three mortgage seekers say they can afford to buy without government or family help.
More than half say they need support, either from Help to Buy or the Bank of Mum and Dad, according to new research by the Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB).
Some 28% of mortgage seekers say they expect to rely on Help to Buy, while another 26% plan to get financial backing from their family.
Only 32% say they can fund their property purchase without support either from Help to Buy or their family.
The return of 95% lending is beginning to release pent-up demand and attracting borrowers who can manage their mortgage payments once they overcome the initial deposit hurdle, MAB said.
The research also showed that more than one in 10 people will be seeking a mortgage in the next year.
Some 40% of UK adults are planning to buy their first home, move house or remortgage before the end of 2016, when Help to Buy is due to finish.
Of these, 12% are actively seeking a new mortgage deal within the next 12 months, with many attracted by increasing options for buyers with low deposits.
Some 26% of active mortgage seekers can only afford a 5% deposit, emphasising the importance of greater lending in the 95% LTV range, MAB said.
Just 20% can put down a deposit of more than 20%, while the majority, 61%, are looking for deals with a maximum deposit of 10%.
Brian Murphy, head of lending at MAB, said: “Help to Buy has supported efforts to make mortgages more accessible to first-time buyers and existing homeowners, with more lenders and products set to drive up competition in the new year.
“Buyers are voting with their feet and we are seeing great enthusiasm for low deposit mortgages.
“Some lenders have joined the official scheme while others are offering 95% mortgages on their own. Either way, the end result for homebuyers is better access to mortgages they can realistically afford.
“Lenders are being careful to lend responsibly, with affordability checks in place to protect borrowers against future rate rises.
"Government help means the Bank of Mum and Dad can take a well-earned break with affordable mortgages in better supply.”
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