Due to the well-known roadblocks that can come up when you are trying to get on the property ladder there are one or two possibilities that may cross your mind. One of these is the Help to Buy scheme, which can provide the financial assistance needed for people who cannot afford to buy their own home.

The scheme has four different types – Help to Buy equity loans, shared ownership, NewBuy, and Help to Buy mortgage guarantees which will come in from January 2014. Help to Buy agents in the area in which a buyer wishes to live can offer more information on shared ownership and the equity loans.

Buyers wishing to go down the route of Help to Buy equity loans have to contribute a deposit of a minimum of 5 per cent of the property price and they will receive a government loan of up to 20 per cent of the price. A mortgage of up to 75 per cent is needed to take care of the rest.

In order to be eligible for the NewBuy scheme, which allows the purchase of a newly built property with a deposit of 5 per cent, there are certain criteria your new home must meet. These include being under £500,000 and it is not possible to use the scheme for shared equity purchases or ownership. The NewBuy website provides information on how to apply and an approved mortgage lender will be required.

Venturing into the property market can be seen as a bold step and there is no denying that it can bring up its share of difficulties for some people. However, as many will confirm, there are ways around any issues that may stand in the way of you finding the ideal living quarters. First-time buyers can take a lot of benefit from those with knowledge of the market and gaining information on which property to opt for is particularly helpful.

It is worth taking all the options into consideration and this includes an auctioned property as well as shared ownership. An article posted by The Independent cited statistics from LSL Property Services indicating that the average price of a first-time buyer’s property is now £146,726. Additionally, it was stated that the average age for those who make this first purchase is 30.

The most popular house for those buying for the first time is a property with at least three bedrooms. 44 per cent of first-time buyers go for this option while 31 per cent choose to look for a home with two bedrooms. Plenty of people consider a flat for a place to live although only a quarter of first-time buyers are going for this option over a house.

The property sector in the United Kingdom is undoubtedly big business and it manages to attract huge investment each year from domestic parties as well as from abroad. Naturally, there are many who choose to direct their funds towards the residential area of the market but commercial property offers a lot of possibility too.

The purpose of making an investment is to reap the benefits for a number of years to come, but as everyone is more than aware this is not always how it transpires. Someone who invests in commercial property might choose to buy into retail stores or offices for example. When the value of the property rises they will benefit from this profit and the investment can be made via a trust or fund, or directly. The units that have been purchased can be rented out to various companies.

For an investor who chooses the option of a property fund it gives them the exposure to the property they are looking for but in a considerably cheaper way. It is advisable to approach property funds cautiously if they do not hold a significant number of properties. Experts say that the type of fund to seek is one that holds as many as 40 properties at least.

The property market in the UK has been talked about and analysed on many occasions, particularly in the last few years in light of the economic peril. England and Scotland naturally account for a huge amount of the UK sector but what are the differences between the two countries when it comes to making a purchase?

Scotland is actually different from the whole of the rest of the UK in certain aspects of property buying. Out of all the property that changes ownership in Scotland, the majority of it is sold by estate agents who work for firms of solicitors. Scottish properties are separated into three categories in the way they are sold. With those that are marketed as ‘offers over’, the seller understandably looks for more than the price stipulated. ‘Fixed price’ properties are sold to the first one to match the value, whereas ‘price guide’ listings are rough figures relating to what the seller wants.

In England you get ‘sealed bids’ but in Scotland it is a ‘closing date’. This is a deadline for those who are interested to go ahead and give their best offer. In Scotland, a solicitor has to submit your offer and it is a written legal one signed on your behalf by them. This then goes to the seller’s solicitor and amendments are made in writing by both sides until an agreement is reached.

When a property sale is made in Scotland it has to be registered in the Land Register for Scotland, which is much like the Land Registry in England.

The chance to get away to picturesque surroundings on holiday is an opportunity many relish. There are some who have their own holiday home to enjoy and then there are others who get to reside in such settings permanently. Seaside locations are immensely popular for property buyers and the UK can boast a number of attractive areas by the coast.

Lynmouth, Devon

The prospect of living on Devon’s North Coast in the South West of the country is understandably appealing and the village of Lynmouth offers much. At the top of a gorge above Lynmouth is the small town of Lynton and the area has many historical and beautiful sites, not to mention some breathtaking views.

Aldeburgh, Suffolk

The location of Aldeburgh on the Suffolk Heritage Coast includes terrific arts, cuisine, sailing and family activity. This seaside area is a hotspot for fishing and it has a shingle beach, as well as hosting the well-known Aldeburgh Festival in June each year.

Whitby, North Yorkshire

Situated north of Bridlington and Scarborough, Whitby has a reputation as one of the UK’s most favoured places to holiday in. For those thinking of purchasing a home in the area the points of interest include Captain Cook Memorial Museum and Whitby Pavilion, Lighthouse and Beach.

Tenby, Pembrokeshire

If it is a place in South Wales you are on the lookout for then Tenby could well be making an appearance at the top of your list. This harbour town has cobbled streets, restaurants, cafes, shops and of course a number of beautiful beaches to savour.

St Ives, Cornwall

The beaches in St Ives are particularly stunning and they help to make it a firm favourite with adults and children alike. You can go on a trip through the arts and crafts of the area or you can sample the local Cornwall cuisine and take in the sea air around you.

Clambering to get a grip on the property ladder is known for being a tricky proposition and for many people it can prove an unattainable possibility for quite some time. One of the methods that can be tried in order to get around this is to enter into a shared ownership scheme. This route has undoubtedly grown in popularity over time and those who are considering pursuing this option will naturally wonder whether the good points outweigh the potential difficulties.

Prospective property buyers from all kinds of background continue to show their interest in shared ownership and it has been a tremendous help for couples with a lower income and especially those with a family to support. Many have found that the difference in cost between paying rent each month and making payments on a shared ownership property is minimal, and this is a big advantage.

A perceived downside is not being the outright owner of the property but shared owners have commented that you still get to experience the plus points as if you were. Experts have cautioned that this kind of scheme will not be the instant springboard to full ownership many are looking for and costs have been known to rise. It has also been noted that obtaining a mortgage for shared ownership can be tough and it is not recommended as the best way to go for those who are not looking for a long-term commitment.