The bank said first-time buyers made up more than half (54 per cent) of all home purchases made with a mortgage last year.
Nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) of mortgage completions last year were in two or more names, with 38 per cent starting on the property ladder on their own.
Matt Thompson, head of sales at London-based estate agent Chestertons, said: "In December 2024 as well as the beginning of this year, the property market saw particularly high demand from first-time buyers who were motivated to beat April's stamp duty deadline.
Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax said: "Last year saw a big increase in the number of first-time buyers, up almost a fifth from 2023.
Halifax said there were 341,068 first-time buyers last year, up 19 per cent compared with 2023.
