A lack of affordable mortgages for first-time buyers means they are unable to take advantage of properties at the bottom of the ladder, according to mortgage advice from an organisation that helps this type of investor find their ideal home.

Helen Adams, managing director of FirstRungNow.com, said any increase in property prices will make the situation even more difficult for first-time buyers.

She also predicted house prices will go down again, although she added there is no guarantee that this will happen.

Ms Adams was responding to predictions from the Consumer and Housing prospects report from the Centre for Economics and Business Research that stated UK house prices will grow by six per cent this year.

The report also forecast the average UK house price will be 20 per cent higher than today's levels by the end of 2013.

Ms Adams commented on the forecast: "I can't see them rising as much as that. Some conditions are going to get better as well as worse and will fluctuate. There are interest rates and the jobs market to consider."