Is It Still Possible in 2025?

Let’s address the question we hear time and time again:

“Can a first-time buyer still afford to get onto the ladder in Chelsea?”

The short answer? Yes—but not in the way you might expect.
In 2025, first-time buyers in SW3 are getting creative. From shared ownership to help-to-buy resales and even strategic family-assisted financing, doors are still opening—just a little differently.

 The Reality Check: What You’re Up Against

Chelsea is one of the most desirable (and expensive) postcodes in the UK.

• Average flat prices hover around £1.1 million,

• One-beds in a good location start from £650,000–£800,000,

• And mortgage deposits in traditional purchases can easily exceed £150,000+.

But that doesn’t mean first-time buyers are out of the game. With the right strategy and support, we’ve helped clients step onto the property ladder in ways that make Chelsea living a reality—not just a dream.

 Option 1: Shared Ownership in Prime Postcodes

Yes, even in Chelsea.

While rare, shared ownership opportunities do appear, especially on the outer edges of SW3 and bordering Earl’s Court and Battersea. Buyers can start by purchasing as little as 25–40% of a flat, with the option to “staircase” over time.

Client Snapshot: Yasmin, 29, NHS Researcher
Yasmin secured a 40% share in a modern development near World’s End in summer 2024.
Total cost of her share: £268,000, with a deposit of £26,800
She pays rent on the remaining share and plans to staircase within five years.

 Option 2: Help-to-Buy Resale Properties

While the government Help-to-Buy scheme officially ended in 2023, resale properties bought under the scheme are still eligible for new buyers.

These homes are often:

• Recently built or refurbished

• Part of managed developments

• Located in areas like Fulham Reach, Battersea Bridge, and Chelsea Creek

Client Snapshot: Jamie & Priya, First-Time Buyers in Tech & PR
In early 2025, they bought a Help-to-Buy resale flat in Imperial Wharf.
Because they were purchasing a resale, they didn’t need to use the scheme again—but benefited from the lower price point (originally capped under the HTB scheme).

 Option 3: Family Support and Creative Financing

Bank of Mum and Dad is still alive and well in Chelsea.
But support doesn’t have to mean a full cash gift—many of our clients use:

• Joint borrower sole proprietor mortgages (great for keeping the stamp duty discount!)

• Guarantor mortgages

• Or family loans secured against other property

Client Snapshot: Kemal, Turkish Business Graduate
With a 10% deposit gifted from family in Istanbul and a secured loan backed by his father’s UK company, he bought a one-bed flat on Ifield Road in February 2025.
Sam Akbay Property handled the entire process with the family solicitor and introduced a mortgage broker who understood the international angle.

 The Sam Akbay Advantage

We know this market. And we know how to make it work for first-time buyers.

• We source off-market and pre-launch listings ideal for budget-conscious buyers

• We understand non-traditional financing routes, including buyers with overseas income

• And we always take the time to educate first-time buyers—there are no silly questions here

 Final Thoughts

Chelsea may never be a budget postcode—but with the right strategy, guidance, and connections, owning your first home here is still possible in 2025.

If you’re a first-time buyer feeling overwhelmed, reach out for a friendly, pressure-free consultation. We’ll talk you through what’s available, what’s realistic, and how to get there—your way.

Let’s get you started.
Contact Sam Akbay Property Agency today and take your first step toward homeownership in one of London’s most iconic neighbourhoods.

Homepage