Is A 35 Year Mortgage Normal?

Milton Rodrigues
Updated on 21 August, 2025
Is A 35 Year Mortgage Normal?
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Is a longer term mortgage of up to 35 years normal?

 

In current economic conditions property prices are started to rise slowly, Interest rates show no sign of improvement many borrowers are going for longer term mortgage. Yes 35 years mortgage term is new normal to make the monthly mortgage payment more manageable.

Going for 35 years mortgage does not mean borrower will have to keep the mortgage for 35 years. The mortgage can be paid off early by making additional payment or reducing the term.

While there is no upper limit to the age at which you can purchase a property, age does matter when it comes to getting a mortgage. If you have reached middle age, you should start considering factors affecting the mortgage you are eligible for. If you have saved enough to make a good deposit, things will be a little easier for you. If you have accumulated bad credit, it will not be smooth sailing for you, although not impossible to get a first-time buyer mortgage.

Let’s dive a little deeper and explore what is the mortgage application timeline or how long does a mortgage application take through mortgage broker?  How your age and mortgage term matters when it comes to buying your first property on a mortgage.

 

What is a longer term mortgage?

Usually, 25 years for a mortgage used to be considered longer term to pay off your mortgage, but with current high property prices and increased interest rates, most first-time buyers are opting for longer term mortgages beyond 25 years to make more manageable monthly payments. Mortgage terms beyond 25 years is considered as a longer-term mortgage. Most recently, 35 year mortgages are most opted for a longer term.  Check what are the  first time buyer mortgage rates available currently by using our rate finder.

 

 What is the average age for a first time buyer mortgage?

The average age for a first-time buyer is between 32 -35 years, it can be a little more in London. The main reason behind this is the property prices are higher and so are interest rates.

The average salary in the UK has not increased as the house prices have over time. Higher living costs makes it more difficult to save for a deposit. Saving enough to make a 5-10 % deposit of the desired property takes a lot longer, and as a result the average age is higher.

 

What Are The Maximum Years on a Mortgage Can Someone Get?

Different lenders have different age limits, making it important to scan the market well before finalising your decision. Your profession, income, LTV, and other relevant factors play an important role in deciding the mortgage term.

Most mortgage terms are 25 years, but this has changed in recent years. With expensive property prices and higher interest rates people are going for a longer term mortgage. Most lenders are lending until 75 years of age. Some lenders may go up to 80 years of age subject to pension income and affordability.

It is common with first time buyers to go for a mortgage of 35 years in recent times. Longer terms are almost seen as the new normal for a first time buyer.

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Why Are More People Going for a 35 Year Mortgage?

Most people go for longer term mortgages, as long as 35 years, some lenders are now offering 40 years mortgage to keep monthly payments more manageable and allowing people to borrow more.

Lenders would lend more for a mortgage of 35 years compared to a short term mortgage, as longer terms increase affordability by reducing monthly payments. Higher property prices required bigger mortgages, which push first time buyers for longer terms.

 

Is a longer term mortgage a good idea?

 

Longer term mortgages will have advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of a Longer-Term Mortgage.

 

Manageable monthly payments- spreading  the mortgage repayment over a longer term helps to bring down monthly payments. Lower monthly payments are easier to manage.

More Borrowing– with longer term mortgages, your affordability will increase, resulting in you getting a bigger mortgage compared to short term one. More borrowing can help to secure better property.

 

Downsides of Longer-Term Mortgages Are:

 

Pay more interest- the longer the term of the mortgage, the more interest that will be charged by your lender. Shorter term mortgages haves less payable interest compared to a longer term one.

Longer time until your mortgage is free- your longer-term mortgage requires you to work longer till the mortgage is paid off. Longer term mortgages will take longer times to be mortgage free.

 

Factors affecting mortgage application and term.

If you want to go for a loner-term mortgage, here are the factors you should focus on while considering mortgage options. These factors affect the mortgage you get and the chances of your application getting approved:

 

Mortgage affordability:

Your lender will always check your income and affordability if you want to go for a mortgage. Your lender will also consider all the current outgoing and future cost that may affect your mortgage repayment. This may push you for a longer term mortgage to make it more affordable.

 

Market Condition

During this busy housing market, properties tend to sell very quickly, resulting in many buyers who would offer more than the asking price to secure the sale. But this busy housing market can also push borrowers to borrow more than their budget pushing them for a longer term mortgage.

 

Deposit

With a higher deposit your lender may lend you more then what you needed as a longer term makes it a more stable affair for the bank, as loan to value is lower. Lower deposits are the opposite.

 

 

Some of the common FAQs with longer term mortgages.

 

Can I reduce the mortgage term after getting a longer term mortgage?

Yes, your mortgage term can be reduced if you have opted for a longer term mortgage. Keep in mind that when you want to reduce the mortgage term you are increasing the monthly mortgage payments. Your mortgage lender will do their income affordability and normal under writing check before allowing you to reduce the term of the mortgage.

Key things need to know about your First purchase

 

Can I increase my mortgage term to make it a longer term?

If you have gone for a shorter term mortgage and are thinking to increase it you’ll be glad to hear yes it can be done. After getting a mortgage many things can change in life, making it difficult to keep up mortgage payment, making people Increase the mortgage term which can reduce the monthly payments. Your lender will do the financial assessment of income and outgoing expenses before you can change the term.

 

How many times my salary I can get on mortgage with 35 years?

Most lenders will lend as per their income criteria. As a rule of thumb most lenders lend 4- 4.5 times the income. But other factors such as deposit, income and term of the mortgage may affect the lending. Some lenders will lend 5 times to 5.5 times of your income subject to criteria.

 

What are the minimum deposit needs for a 35 years mortgage?

Most mortgage lenders would need at least a 5 % deposit with your mortgage application but some lenders do offer lower deposit mortgage. More in deposit can be very helpful but a lower deposit can reduce the lending and increase rates. As per recent news the government is planning to bring 1 % deposit mortgages. This could help first-time buyers struggling with amounting a deposit.

Many first-time buyers are rightly not sure what term mortgage is optimal for their mortgage application. Working with an experienced independent mortgage broker can help you to decide what term mortgage is better for your first property purchase. Your mortgage broker will help you make the perfect application and handle all your paperwork, keeping you informed about your application. This will be a seamless process with us at Marianna FS, as we offer to take the time and care to tailor the best result for each of our clients.

Working with local mortgage advisor or online mortgage broker will help to make the right decisions.

If you are planning to seek help from a mortgage broker, it is preferable to work with a fee-free broker. Fee-free mortgage brokers help you save on broker fees while making a mortgage application.

 

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