All pessimists within the UK housing market have had a sharp blow dealt regarding the potency of the market so far in the year 2017. So far, according to Rightmove, housing prices have grown almost 0.5% when compared with the month of December. Year on year house prices are up 3.2%, according to data from Rightmove. In the capital city of London however, it is a different story, as it usually is. House prices have moved forward almost 1.5% during the month compared with the previous month.

Another sector within the UK housing market moving forward so far this year is the remortgage market. Lenders are locked in a contentious battle for their next wave of clients and the everyday home owner is winning.

Interest rates remain at all-time lows and lenders are offering attractive remortgage packages which feature low to zero cost for administration fees. Quite often with these packages home owners are finding savings off the current cost of the monthly mortgage in excess of £100. Many times it has been more than £100 per month.

First time buyers are also researching the market like never before for their first rung on the property ladder. They are met with high deposits and high house prices as inflation has once again worked against them.

Miles Shipside, Rightmove director commented on the challenging landscape facing first timers, saying: "It's a possible learning point for aspiring first time buyers that a year ago buy to let purchasers acted more quickly and closed deals at a faster rate, appearing not to take a Christmas break."