Strong demand from first time buyers continues as the price paid for homes reaches record highs in London across the country.

Homebuyers can expect tougher affordability tests from lenders when applying for mortgages as Bank of England acts over easy borrowing.

Research for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan shows first time buyers in the capital are losing out to overseas investors acquiring property.

The number of first time buyers increased by 30% in the last month with demand expected to continue with attractive mortgage deals.

Prices of new build properties have reduced by -7% as price inflation has eased and housing market activity is subdued across the country.

The number of first time buyers relying on the bank of mum and dad has reached a historic high and the trend is set to continue.

A quarter of all young Britons are certain they will never own a home and half think it is as harder than ever to get on the property ladder.

Home buyer borrowing in London reduces 5% or £310 million in the final quarter of 2016 continuing the downward trend for the capital.

Significantly lower interest rates has improved mortgage affordability across the country since the financial crisis according to the Halifax.

Latest data from Moneyfacts shows the amount of cashback offered by lenders to first time buyers with small deposits is lower in the last two years.

Home buyers borrowed £11 billion in November up over 5% on the month reflecting a stable market and aspirations for home ownership.

The rise in property values for the East of England are leading the market with new-build homes seeing a 32% price increase in the last year.