According to the latest UK housing figures, the number of house sales to first time buyers continues to slide. Although the market saw an increase in property supply within the month of July, those seeking their place on the property ladder are in a challenging game of wait and be patient until prices slow down or supply of affordable housing grows even further. Despite the number of first timers falling, those searching for a house has reached its highest level in more than ten years.

First time buyers fell from almost 30% within the month of May to below 24% two months later, according to the National Association of Estate Agents. Many first timers in search of property are making the decision to move home or stay home and live with their parents. Time spent living at home gives them an opportunity to prepare financially to make a deposit or choose a career path which will give them income to purchase a property to call their own.

Managing director at the NAEA, Mark Hayward, commented on the latest data, saying: "It's alarming that the number of sales being made to first-time buyers is steadily falling; with reports of house prices increasing and expectations of rising in the future, first-time buyers will continue to be pushed out of the market.”

Hayward added: “Over the next few months we'll see activity in the market increasing and more sales completing.”

Hayward made concluding remarks regarding the ongoing issue facing the UK housing market, saying: "The truth of the matter is though, there simply aren't enough houses to meet growing demand and until we see more physical bricks and mortar, there may be no hope in solving the housing crisis."