We bought a boat to live on for £45,000. We are now mortgage-free in our thirties

The average UK house price now stands at £272,000, meaning aspiring buyers need at least £27,000 saved to put down a 10 per cent deposit.

At the same time, rents are climbing. The average private rent in the UK reached £1,393 in July 2026, up £50 (3.7 per cent) from the year before.

No wonder so many people find it a challenge to get on the property ladder. The tough conditions are making some first-time buyers take an alternative approach to make home ownership possible.

Shorts

‘A boat means we can be mortgage-free’