Saving a deposit remains a massive stumbling block for first home buyers, with the path to purchasing more stressful than it’s ever been, according to a new industry study.

The 2023 Helia Home Buyer Sentiment Report reveals 85% of those surveyed said it was harder than ever to buy their first property.

The report, based on research commissioned by lenders mortgage insurance provider Helia, and conducted by CoreData with information from 3,001 homebuyers, found an overwhelming majority of home hunters, or 88%, found the journey to buying their first property stressful.