There were 361,000 first time buyers in 2005 and the majority will find it a struggle on their own.

Whilst the average house now coats £170,086, in 2005 first time buyers paid an average of £127,863.

Mortgage lenders will traditionally agreed to lend 3.5 times on one salary and 2.75 on a couple’s joint salary. That means the average first time buyer with a 100% mortgage will have to be earning £36,500 a year. A couple buying together will have to earn £51,000. Not chicken feed!

Of course some lenders will agree higher income multiples, but that will be dependent on the borrowers employment prospects.

In this context, it is not surprising that more and more parents are lending a financial hand by providing a deposit or standing as a guarantor for the mortgage.

Another, route is to buy a house with friends or brothers and sisters. Most lenders are happy to lend to up to four borrowers per property, although some will only lend on the two highest incomes.

However, The Britannia Building Society is a good bet if you want to buy a house with a group. They now have a special “Share to Buy” mortgage. Up to four people can buy and, on this scheme, The Britannia will take all four salaries into account and lend on a three times multiple. Worth considering.