Too true.

5-8 years ago would have been an ideal time to buy a house (or even in the late 80's when prices crashed) - first-time buyers didn't find it the struggle they find now - but I was at university (or school (in the case of the 80's  )) then so wasn't in the market.

Getting a foot on the property ladder now is harder than ever before.

Mick - I could (and do) organise things as well as anyone could, but it doesn't stop the fact that right now, in the current climate, I simply can't afford to get on the property ladder and am struggling to find a mortgage lender to give me £125000 (without being daft and becoming self certified)