The number of mortgage approvals for first-time buyers and home movers continued to climb in May but remortgaging is back in the driving seat.
Lending data from UK Finance shows approvals to first-time buyers were up 0.5% annually to 30,720, the highest level for six months.
Approvals for home movers were down 1.2% annually to 29,430, but still at the highest level so far this year.
However, remortgaging dominated the sector in May, with approvals up 20% annually.
The figures show a 19.8% jump in approvals for remortgages with additional borrowing.
This has been seen as sign that home owners are looking to improve rather than move.
UK Finance said this was also in line with fixed rate deals coming to an end and customers therefore reviewing their mortgage.
Meanwhile, buy-to-let approvals were flat.