Wrexham's housing market is booming

One recent survey by the Halifax, Britain's biggest mortgage lender, said the average age of first-time buyers throughout Britain was now 33, as people were priced out.

But now mortgage broker the Mortgage Advice Bureau has named Wrexham as one part of the country where those in their mid-20s can afford to get a foothold in the market.

It found that the average age of the first-time buyer in the north Wales town was 25.

"It does tend to be a younger age group coming in as first-time buyers now," said Graham Sargeant, of local estate agent Thomas C Adams.

But David Evans from the Solicitor's Property Centre in Wrexham said that was not the case.

"For the vast majority it's impossible to get on the property ladder because the incomes round here don't allow them to borrow that much," said Mr Evans.

I wouldn't be able to imagine anyone at 25 being able to buy a house in Wrexham Michelle Partington

"I see young couples coming in here who want something for �50,000 or �60,000.

"People are renting now just to stay in the area.

"I would say the average age of a first-time buyer is late 20s, early 30s," he added.

Suzanne Roberts has managed to buy her first home aged 24.

However, she admits it has been difficult.

"We've been saving for about 18 months and we thought we'd start because the prices have been horrendous," she said.

"We had to pay �90,000 for our first home and I would never have thought in my wildest dreams that would've been the price of my first home."

The Halifax has also warned that the number of first-time buyers had hit its lowest level since records began in 1974.

It said the shortage of first-time buyers would lead to a slowdown in house price growth.

Mr Sargeant said many of new buyers were moving to Wrexham from other areas.

"People from outside the area can afford to come in and afford to buy.

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"If you take the UK average then Wrexham is cheaper."

But Wrexham may not remain a promising spot for young property buyers for that long.

Last year it was listed in the top ten of the UK's property hotspots after prices rose by 60% in 12 months, confirming the town's upcoming status.

Despite the latest findings, some would-be homeowners are already finding difficulties joining the market.

First-time buyer Michelle Partington, from Southsea near Wrexham, is finding it impossible to get on the property ladder.

"I've been saving for a deposit for a house for a few years but as fast as I've been saving, property prices have been going up and up," said the 33-year-old who works for the probation service.

"The average price for a two-up-two down in Southsea is up to �80,000 and I wouldn't even get a mortgage for that.

"I wouldn't be able to imagine anyone at 25 being able to buy a house in Wrexham.

"I don't know anybody of that age buying."