Buying first home 'hardest ever'

The housing market is expected to slow down

First-time buyers are finding it harder than ever to get on the property ladder despite a slowdown in the Scottish housing market, a charity has warned.

Research by Shelter Scotland showed that the average price of a first home had risen by 180% in the past 10 years.

It claimed that rising house prices meant buying a first home was now 65% more difficult than in 1997.

Shelter Scotland is to host a summit to examine the prospects for the Scottish housing market next month.

The homeless and housing charity said that, despite recent reports that the Scottish property market could face a downturn, buying a house for the first time was more unaffordable than ever.

In the current financial climate, it will become increasingly difficult to buy Archie Stoddart Shelter Scotland

Its Roof Affordability Index showed that while the average weekly income of working households had risen from �548 in 1997 to �851 now, the average first-time buyer property had risen from �38,845 10 years ago to �108,446 at present.

Archie Stoddart, director of Shelter Scotland, said: "Despite the column inches dedicated recently to a downturn in house prices south of the border, and a possible slowdown in Scotland, this long-term comparison shows the real story is that housing is out of the reach of many would-be buyers.

"Any fall in prices would be a drop in the ocean for those looking to buy in Scotland after an almost 180% rise in prices over the last 10 years.

"The stark reality for many first-time buyers is that as mortgage lenders tighten their belts in the current financial climate, it will become increasingly difficult to buy."

Mr Stoddard added it was important that buying was not the only option for those looking for their first home.

He said: "We cannot afford to put more people at risk of repossession from over-stretching themselves to get onto the property ladder.

"We must make sure that we provide for those who cannot buy by having a stock of good quality, affordable rented housing, both in the social and private sector."

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