Knight Frank projects that residential property prices will appreciate by 24% in the next five years, on the back of a strengthening UK economy, low interest rates and a growing supply-demand imbalance.

In its UK housing market forecast for Q4 2013, Knight Frank is predicting home price growth of 7% both this year and again in 2014, before annual capital growth slows to 4% in 2015 and 3% in both 2017 and 2018.

Knight Frank's forecast follows that of Savills, which estimates that residential property prices will increase by 25% over the next five years.

Although prime central London has led the housing market recovery in recent years, Knight Frank predicts that property price gains in the heart of the capital fall short of the UK average, as buyers look to other parts of the city and the country for better value homes.

Knight Frank expects prime central London to see a slower growth rate of 20% over five years with 6.5% this year and 4% next year. It estimates that the market will stall in 2015 when there will be no increase in prime central London before picking up to 5% growth in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The property firm expects outer London to grow more strongly than prime central London as market dynamics change.

The report says "modest" improvement in the supply of new-build homes will have minimal impact on property prices in the next few years as the housing shortage continues.

Knight Frank believes that house price growth will be supported mainly by the Help to Buy scheme up to the end of 2016 when the initiative expires, but predicts a stronger economy will be able to cope with a housing market that no longer has a stimulus in place.

Liam Bailey of Knight Frank said: "For the first time in five years we can be broadly positive about the UK housing market. Price growth is encouraging transactions, contributing to labour mobility, and first-time buyers are able to access the market in a way they could not even 12 months ago. Importantly these improvements are not limited to London, they are spreading.

"There is however a flip-side to these improvements. Rising prices in the short term will limit longer-term growth. The fact remains that pricing in the UK is high in historic terms, and while the government can encourage activity over the next two to three years, it cannot change the fundamentals surrounding market affordability, especially as low interest rates and government interventions start to unwind."

The number of houses and flats being repossessed fell to its lowest level since records began five years ago, in what is a further sign that residential property market conditions are going from strength to strength.

The figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) shows that 7,200 households lost their property in the third quarter of this year, after falling into severe mortgage arrears, down 5.3% quarter-on-quarter, and the lowest quarterly figure ever recorded by the CML.

The CML has now revised its predictions downwards, estimating that fewer than 30,000 repossessions will be recorded this year, down 5,000 on the volume forecast at the start of the year. If accurate, that would put the annual number at its lowest level since 2007, thanks partly to low interest rates and the improving state of the UK housing market.

In light of better-than-expected data, the CML also plans to revise down its previous estimation that there would be 37,000 repossessions for 2014 when the organisation's next housing market forecasts are published in December.

Paul Smee of CML said: "The continued reduction in payment difficulties is obviously very welcome."

The number of borrowers who are behind with their mortgage payments also fell to its lowest levels since summer 2008.

A total of 149,400 mortgages in the UK, representing 1.33% of lenders' mortgage stock, had arrears equivalent to more than 2.5% of their mortgage balance at the end of the third quarter. This latest quarterly arrears total shows that almost 10,000 fewer mortgages are in arrears compared with the third quarter of last year.

Marc Da Silva takes his regular look at the affordable new homes market across the UK with the latest news on affordable housing schemes in Greater Manchester, East Lothian, Lancashire, Merseyside and Wales.

New affordable homes in Wrexham

Wrexham Council is looking to boost affordable housing levels to help ease Wrexham's current affordable housing shortage. The authority has been criticised recently for having the lowest proportion of affordable housing in the whole of Wales - just 1% per 10,000 residents. The council says that it is disappointed with that figure, and is determined to improve it.

Affordable homes in Bury

New research by housing charity Shelter found that in 56% of the Bury region, families hoping to get on the property ladder were unable to afford properties, due to a lack of affordable homes. Less than a third of homes on sale in Bury are affordable for first-time buyers, statistics reveal.

Affordable new homes in East Lothian

East Lothian Council has been allocated an additional £1.5m by the Scottish government to boost the supply of affordable housing stock in the county. The council says that it has a long-standing commitment to delivering affordable housing, which is a key theme in the Local Housing Strategy, Council Plan and Single Outcome Agreement.

Affordable homes in Leyland

A new estate in Leyland is set to get fewer affordable houses built there than was originally agreed by planners, after the developer, Rowland Homes, requested permission from South Ribble Council to reduce the number of affordable dwellings from 13 to 10. The scheme, located near Golden Hill Lane, is being built on the former Prestolite factory site off Cleveland Road.

New affordable homes in Wirral

A planning application to build an affordable housing development on Green Belt land in Hoylake looks set to be rejected by council planners. The proposal for 26 new-build properties in Carr Lane has sparked objections from several householders.

Affordable new homes in Wales

The Welsh Conservative plans to boost affordable housing in Wales by focusing on three proposals:

• Build more houses by cutting red tape and shaking up the planning system.
• Improve the Right to Buy scheme with a ‘one-for-one' policy so that for every home sold to tenants, another affordable home must be built.
• Bring more empty homes back into use.

Launched by the Scottish government in partnership with a host of housebuilders across the country, Help to Buy (Scotland) is not just for first-time buyers. The initiative is also open to families looking to purchase a larger new build home. Though the threshold for the scheme is £400,000, there is plenty of scope for house-hunters with a budget between £300,000 and £350,000 to take advantage of it.

CALA Homes'Earl's View development is part of the new Woodilee Village community near Lenzie. Available homes at the site start from £249,995 for the ‘Colville' house type; a four-bedroom detached villa with a lounge, open-plan kitchen, dining and family area, cloakroom, utility room, en suites to two of the bedrooms, a study and a garage.

Claremont Park is a Bellway Homes development of three-, four- and five-bedroom homes in Alloa. The ‘Carnoustie' will set you back £329,995 and benefits include a lounge, dining room and open-plan kitchen and family area as well as en suites to two of the five bedrooms and a double garage.

House-hunters in Renfrewshire should check out Charles Church's Dargavel Village development in Bishopton. Properties on the market here include the ‘Drymen' four-bedroom villa, which is priced from £349,995 and features an open-plan kitchen, dining and family area, formal lounge, two en suites and a double garage. The show home at the site is of this house type so potential buyers can wander around and get a feel for their new pad.

The ‘Malborough' is a five-bedroom detached family villa currently available from £336,000 at Stewart Milne Homes'Wallace Gardens development in Stirling. The living room is situated to the front of the house while a dining room and breakfasting kitchen look out over the rear garden. Upstairs the master bedroom has a dressing area and en suite. The guest bedroom also boasts an en suite shower room. An integral double garage completes the picture.

Located on the former grounds of St. David's Primary School in Dalkeith, The Scholars is a Taylor Wimpey development with a choice of four-bedroom properties currently on the market. For example, the ‘Sherwood' is priced from £325,000 and boasts a lounge, dining room, garden room, kitchen with adjoining breakfasting area, a study, two en suites and a garage.

Situated in Kirkliston on the outskirts of Edinburgh, The Beeches is a Barratt Homes development that offers a semi-rural setting close to the city. A selection of detached four-bedroom properties is available here including the ‘Callendar' house type. To the right of the hallway is a large formal lounge while a left turn leads into the open-plan kitchen, dining and family room. A utility room, downstairs WC and double garage complete the ground floor. Upstairs two of the bedrooms boast en suite facilities and there is also a study.

Scotia Homes is constructing a new community at Dubford in Aberdeen. The scheme will host a variety of new properties including a semi-detached home at £317,000. This new home comes with two parking spaces and comprises a living room, kitchen/dining area, utility room, downstairs WC, master bedroom with en suite, two further bedrooms and a bathroom.

New research from the BBC's Panorama show has found that almost one in three Brits spend more than a third of their disposable income on mortgage or rent costs. 31% of respondents to the BBC survey said they were paying more than a third of their available cash on their home, with housing charity Shelter reporting that makes mortgage or rent costs "unaffordable".

The charity also says that family budgets are being put under "enormous pressure" because of a "shortage of affordable homes".

31% of people paying unaffordable mortgages or rent

The survey of 1,003 people for Panorama found that nearly a third are in a situation where they are paying too high a proportion of their income on housing costs. According to Shelter and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, spending more than a third of your disposable income on rent or a mortgage means you may not be able to afford other basic needs.

Shelter chief executive Campbell Robb said: "The widely accepted test of affordability is that housing costs should take up no more than a third of your income. But in reality, many families don't have any option but to pay out much more. This sees some faced with impossible choices every day - including between putting enough food on the table or paying for the roof over their head."

Keith Osborne, editor of Whathouse.co.uk, says: "Millions of Brits are paying rent or a mortgage that leaves them with insufficient cash for other essentials. And, with the Bank of England suggesting that interest rates will rise sooner than expected, the situation could be set to get worse.

"Recent research from property analyst HML has suggested that if the base rate increased from its current level of 0.5% to 1.75%, around 30,000 people would fall into arrears within a year. So, if you're worried about the level of your mortgage payment, it's worth speaking to a mortgage broker and finding you whether you can take advantage of a fixed rate deal to protect yourself against future rate rises."

Help to Buy scheme is like ‘pouring petrol over the car and setting fire to it'

Panorama also looked at the Help to Buy scheme set up by the government in April to help homebuyers who could afford mortgage repayments but were struggling to raise a deposit. The scheme was extended in October to allow millions of buyers to take advantage of low-deposit mortgages.

However, not all experts believe the initiative is wise. Merryn Somerset Webb, editor-in-chief of MoneyWeek magazine, said Help to Buy risks inflating prices and overheating the housing market.

She said: "It's like pouring petrol over the car and setting fire to the whole thing. You know you might get a little heat in the short-term but the end result is not actually what you wanted."

Click here to find out more about how Whathouse.co.uk can help you find the right mortgage.

There may not have been any goals between Wolves and Brentford, the two form sides of League One, but the crowd at Molineux on Saturday afternoon were treated to a cracking game of football.

And, although Wanderers lost their top spot to Leyton Orient, the point gained stretched their advantage over third placed Peterborough to eight.

Head coach Kenny Jackett made wholesale changes following the FA Cup defeat against Oldham. Six men who started against The Latics were omitted whilst Michael Jacobs came in to make his debut and Sam Ricketts, Kevin Doyle, Matt Doherty, Dave Edwards and Backary Sako returned - Doherty after a six game injury absence.

Wolves kicked-off attacking the North Bank end and twice in the opening minute they went close to an early breakthrough. Doyle beat the offside trap as he sprinted to the by-line and hit a shot from an acute angle that was deflected over the bar by Jonathan Douglas.

Jacobs took the corner and Doyle ran in at the near post to end a glancing header into the side netting.

The next chance fell to Sako who met a cross from Kevin McDonald with a shot that bounced into the floor and onto the top of the net.

Wolves were inches from a classic goal in the 12th minute. Doyle's crossfield pass to Leigh Griffiths was inch perfect and the leading scorer took a touch before hitting a tremendous effort that hit the inside of the near post and bounced clear.

The first real Brentford threat arrived in the 26th minute as Kadeem Harris crossed from the left for Adam Forshaw to run in on the blind side. Although he was unmarked his first time shot was hurried and flew high and wide from just six yards out.

Brentford keeper David Button pushed out a shot on the turn from Griffiths before Brentford had another chance when Clayton Donaldson ran through and chipped the ball over the advancing Carl Ikeme. But the home supporters breathed a sigh of relief as the ball drifted narrowly wide.

It was real end to end stuff and after Button had dived at Doyle's feet following a low cross from Griffiths, Marcello Trotta's intended pass to Douglas was a little too strong as the ball hit his team-mate and bounced wide off his legs.

Jacobs fired over from the edge of the box after Danny Batth had nodded back Doherty's long throw, and from a Ricketts throw Sako cleverly beat his marker and sent a driven cross through the goalmouth with a defender turning the ball behind at the back post for what was an unproductive corner.

A moment's hesitation in defence gifted Donaldson a shot at goal but Ikeme blocked superbly and the last attempt of the half fell to Griffiths who wasn't far wide of the far post with a first time drive.

Half-Time: Wolves 0 Brentford 0

Both sides had early corners cleared in the new half but whilst play was taking place at a lively pace, there was little to trouble either keeper in the opening quarter.

Alan McCormack lashed a dangerous centre across the face of Ikeme's goal and then the keeper didn't have too much of a problem as he took a shot from Forshaw.

Midway through the half Doherty broke up a Brentford attack and fed a pass to Sako. He in turn laid the ball in front of Doyle who, running at an angle and holding off a defender, fired into the arms of Button.

Zeli Ismail replaced Jacobs in the 72nd minute. The on loan winger had slotted in well in his first start for the club and he received warm applause as he trotted off.

Brentford substitute Will Grigg drilled a shot inches with of the far post before Richard Stearman got a timely foot in to divert the ball away as Forshaw ran through.

With the game approaching its conclusion, the visitors were putting some strong attacks together and after Batth had cleared a through pass from Toumani Diagouraga, the ball was played back across the area and McCormack ran in to hit a tremendous shot from the edge of the box that was brilliantly turned away by Ikeme.

Despite having some good chances, Brentford looked happy enough to hold on for the point as they started to waste a little time in the closing minutes. For one Wolves corner, they drafted every man back into their own box.

If there was to be any real criticism of Wolves it would be that they didn't turn enough of the attacking possession into clear cut chances. Nevertheless, that didn't spoil what had been an entertaining spectacle.

Full-Time: Wolves 0 Brentford 0

Wolves: Ikeme, Doherty, Ricketts (capt), McDonald, Batth, Stearman, Jacobs (Ismail 72), Edwards, Griffiths (Cassidy 88), Doyle (Sigurdarson88), Sako.

Unused subs: Price, Ebanks-Landell, Golbourne, McCarey.

Brentford: Button, Forshaw, Craig (capt), Dean, Douglas, Donaldson, McCormanck, Saville (Diagouraga 78), Bidwell, Harris (Grigg 57), Trotta (Saunders 65).

Unused subs: Lee, El Alagui, Logan, Nugent.

Bookings: Donaldson (77 - foul), Saunders (87 - obstructing keeper).

Referee: M. Naylor.

Attendance: 19,061.

The Abbeyfields development in Bourne, which comprises of a range of two- and three-bedroom properties, with prices starting from £124,995, is proving extremely popular with first-time buyers and young growing families looking to invest in a larger home, according to the developer behind the residential scheme, Larkfleet Homes.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are offered as an added extra to properties at Abbeyfields. The PV panels will produce electricity from daylight, generating useable power even on cloudy days. Selected Abbeyfields homeowners can therefore benefit from reduced electricity bills by using the energy which the panels generate and also create an income from selling excess power back to the grid.

At Abbeyfields, homebuyers can bridge the deposit gap by taking advantage of the government-backed Help to Buy scheme which means they could own 100% of a new Larkfleet home with just a 75% mortgage and 5% deposit. Larkfleet also has several independent financial assistance schemes that can help homebuyers.

The small historic market town of Bourne, just a few miles from Peterborough, has plenty to offer residents - from its bustling centre and miles of surrounding idyllic countryside to its excellent transport links to surrounding towns and cities. The town is fortunate to have four outstanding schools - at both primary and secondary level - which both offer a very high quality of education to the younger population of Bourne.

Market Deeping, Spalding, Sleaford, Grantham and Boston are only a short distance from Bourne. Peterborough station, from where frequent trains run to central London in around 50 minutes, is just 16 miles away.

The Croft development, a joint venture between Larkfleet and Keystone Developments, is also located in Bourne and provides lifestyle living for the over 55s. The Croft consists of 69 one- and two-bedroom bungalows and two- and three-bedroom chalets arranged around attractively landscaped courtyards. A historic manor house has been restored to its former glory and stylishly refurbished to form a communal ‘hub' for residents.

Like Abbeyfields, The Croft also offers a range of finance schemes and options which it can tailor to suit individual buyers, including ‘assisted move' and shared equity schemes.

With Larkfleet, the entire family could make Bourne their home and enjoy all that this lively rural market town has to offer, together.

Yorkshire Building Society has launched a host of new 95% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages to help people with small deposits, with rates starting from 4.59%. Many products in the range allow 10% or partial overpayments, though early repayment charges (ERCs) of 1% or 2% are payable during the fixed period.

The 36 two- and five-year fixed-rate products are available through Yorkshire, Barnsley, Chelsea and Norwich & Peterborough (N&P) Building Societies and the Group's intermediary-only lending arm Accord Mortgages. The Group also offers an offset function at 95% LTV. The deals are available for all homebuyers and movers, with access for remortgage customers due to be rolled out in early 2014.

Yorkshire's two-year fixed-rate is 4.89% on loans to 95% LTV from £50,000 to £500,000 with no fees and £500 cashback, and a similar five-year fixed-rate product is offered at 5.29%.

Chris Pilling, Yorkshire Building Society Group's chief executive, says: "We are delighted to be launching the largest selection of 95% LTV mortgages available from any lender in the UK, and delivering good value for our members at the same time."

The Cambridge Building Society has reduced interest rates on three of its residential mortgage products and launched a new three-year fixed-rate product for intermediaries. The new three-year fixed-rate mortgages include free standard legal fees and valuations for remortgagers and reduced fees of £199. Rates range from 3.29% at 75% LTV, 3.39% at 80% LTV, 3.89% at 85% LTV and 4.59% at 90% LTV. Interest rates have also been reduced by up to 0.30% across two-year fixed-rate and five-year fixed-rate mortgages. Two-year Discount products start at 2.49% at 75% LTV, 2.69% at 80% LTV, 3.14% at 85% LTV and 3.99% at 90% LTV. All two-year Discount mortgages have an application fee of £199 and completion fee of £500.

Andy Lucas, commercial director at The Cambridge says: "We continually look at our product range to see what improvements can be made. After launching a range of new products into the intermediary market in October, we're confident these additional changes backed up by our award-winning service, provide extra support to Intermediaries in meeting their customers' needs."

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks have just lowered the rates on their First Time Buyer mortgages. Those looking to buy their first home can now benefit from a 95% LTV mortgage with a rate of 4.99%. A new LTV tier at 90% has also been introduced at 3.99%. First-time buyers taking the new three-year fixed-rate deals will also benefit from the banks' current offer of no arrangement fee, saving £999, free standard valuation and £250 cashback on completion.

Andrew Pearce, retail director for Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks, says: "Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks have continuously supported First Time Buyers and have now offered 95% mortgages for more than 10 years and we hope our new lower rates will also help more customers to buy their first home."

Click here to find out more about how Whathouse.co.uk can help you find the right mortgage.

Several towns and cities offering excellent transport links for commuters lie along the estuary of the River Severn, Great Britain's longest river - all with easy access to nearby motorways.

On the northern side in Wales is the Welsh capital, Cardiff, and the growing city of Newport - all within easy reach of the M4. Towns on the southern side of the estuary in England include Portishead, a popular commuter town for Bristol, and the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare - both within easy striking distance of the M5.

Superb choice in Newport

Persimmon Homes' innovative Greenacres at Glan Llyn on the eastern edge of Newport offers an extensive choice of two- to five-bedroom houses to suit a diverse range of buyers. This sustainable project will incorporate 4,000 new homes once complete, with the site split into various 'character zones' and integrating a network of green ways, parks and lakes, with a total of 29 hectares of open space. Three purchase assistance schemes are available there, including Help You Buy (move in with a %5 deposit), Part Exchange, and Parent Payback (parents earn 5% interest on their investment).

A touch of luxury in Cardiff

In the leafy, sought-after residential suburb of Llanishen in Cardiff, just one plot remains at Usk Grove, a development of luxurious executive houses from Waterstone Homes situated four miles from the capital's city centre. Close to a good range of local amenities and well-respected schools, the development is also near three golf clubs and the fields, woodlands and cycle pathways of Rhydapennau Park.

Another exclusive new development in Cardiff is Ty Gwn Gardens, a small site made up of four- and five-bedroom detached executive homes from Bellway. Situated in the desirable Cyncoed suburb, just over two miles from the city centre, Ty Gwn Gardens offers a fantastic location in a well-established neighbourhood as well as easy access to all the shops, businesses and entertainment of the city centre. Bespoke extras are available on selected plots, enabling buyers to add an individual touch to make the home their own - from upgrading standard quality fittings to choosing additional items.

Waterfront apartments in Portishead

Crest Nicholson has released 110 stylish one-, two- and three-bedroom quayside apartments in Portishead, priced from £187,000 - £198,000, at 110 at The Quay. This whole area of the town has enjoyed a major transformation in recent years, creating a vibrant community made up of homes old and new, as well as waterside walkways, restaurants and café bars. With private balconies or terraces, buyers will enjoy views over the Bristol Channel, and could benefit from the NewBuy 95% mortgage scheme.

Peaceful homes near Weston-super-Mare

A wide range of apartments and family houses are now for sale at Locking Parklands, a long-term project creating a mixed use development of homes, apartments, offices and retail space, all situated less than 15 minutes' drive from central Weston-super-Mare. Set in a quiet spot on the site of a former RAF base, Locking Parklands will create a brand new community bordered by mature woodlands, with views over open parkland. Various house builders have homes for sale there. St Modwen Homes, for example, has two-bedroom terraced homes at Locking Parklands priced at £167,950, with allocated parking.

Scotland's largest city has it all from scenic parks and open spaces to state of the art leisure facilities, a huge number of high street and independent stores and pubs and restaurants to suit all tastes. Buyers looking to find a new home in Glasgow might be surprised at how inexpensive the city can be to live in. This is reflected in the prices of the new-build housing market.

Situated in the Carntyne area of the city, Eastfields is a Bellway Homes development of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes from £64,995 to £149,995. Commuters will find the local railway station a short walk from the site and the city centre is under 10 minutes away by train. The ‘Jura' house type is on the market from £139,995 and is set over three storeys. A lounge, breakfasting kitchen and cloakroom comprise the ground floor while upstairs contains two bedrooms and a family bathroom. A master bedroom with en suite completes the top level.

Richmond Gate is a Bett Homes development in the Oatlands area on the south bank of the River Clyde. The site boasts a collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments as well as two-, three- and four-bedroom houses. First-time buyers might be particularly interested in the ‘Lawrie' apartment type, which costs £107,995 and comprises an open-plan living room and kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom.

Only three properties currently remain available at The Grange, a Taylor Wimpey development in Summerston. The scheme is close to the lively West End but also benefits from being on the border of East Dunbartonshire for those who enjoy having the best of both worlds. Prices here start from £209,995 for the ‘Fairbairn' house type, which includes a lounge, formal dining room, breakfasting kitchen, downstairs WC, master bedroom with en suite, three further bedrooms, a family bathroom and a garage.

A selection of three- and four-bedroom properties is offered at Persimmon Homes' development The Glen in the Garthamlock area of the city. The site is close to the Glasgow Fort Retail Park as well as a new leisure pool that is great for kids and also includes a health suite for the adults. Easy access to junction 10 of the M8 motorway makes life easy for commuters. Prices on available properties start at £144,995 for a semi-detached three-bedroom home with integral garage.

Perfect for students and young professionals, Ogilvie Homes has a range of studio and one-bedroom properties for sale at its Almandine Apartments site. Located in Garnethill in the city centre, the development is close to Glasgow School of Art and Sauchiehall Street with its array of shops, bars and restaurants. One-bedroom apartments are available from £124,950 and feature a semi-open-plan kitchen and living area with balcony and a wet room.

There's a lot you can learn about the latest interior trends from a show home, whether you're in the market for a new-build home or not. In this article we highlight some of the very best show homes currently available to view across the UK, to inspire you to re-create the professional look in your own home - or even to start looking for a new home to use as your canvas!

You may prefer understated elegance or have a yearning for an eye-catching splash of colour - the work of these interiors experts is sure to give you plenty to think about for your own home.

David Wilson Homes - kitchen at Chatham Park, Spring Gardens, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Barratt Homes - living/dining room at Woodland View, Lawley Village, Telford, Shropshire

Morris Homes - kitchen/dining room at Rivington View, Chorley, Lancashire

Bellway Homes - master bedroom at Duchess Park, Dalkeith, Midlothian

Taylor Wimpey - kitchen at Lydia Beynon Gardens, Newport, Gwent

A government-backed scheme has helped new parents Helen Meyerratken and Wez Spicer secure a brand new four-bedroom Barratt home in the Somerset market town of Bridgwater.

Just in time for the arrival of their baby boy, they used the government's Help to Buy scheme to buy a brand new home at Barratt's Phoenix development with just a small deposit.

They received a 20% equity loan, with no interest payable for the first five years, to make their purchase possible.

"It meant that we were able to put the money we would have spent on a big deposit towards furnishing our house," explains Helen. "I would definitely recommend using Help to Buy as it works out cheaper than renting and we could get a bigger house than we thought.''

Helen and Wez are among a growing group of people using Help to Buy to enable them to upsize, according to Barratt Homes sales director Lee Monk. "The scheme is making such a difference to those looking for a larger home as well as first time buyers wanting to get onto the housing market,'' he says.

The development's convenient Bridgwater location was a key factor in the couple's decision to purchase a home there, making their professional lives easier.

Phoenix incorporates a wide choice of 126 new homes, including one- to four-bedroom properties priced from £133,950 to £176,950. Its location offers the best of both worlds - with plenty of shops, schools and amenities close by, as well as easy access to the beautiful Somerset Levels, the Mendip and Quantock Hills, and the lovely River Parrett.

Helen and Wez chose a four-bedroom ‘Rochester home' there, which features an open-plan kitchen with a dining area and a garden - the ideal set-up for a growing family.

To find out more about Phoenix, call the sales office on 0845 388 7980.

If you've ever taken out a new mortgage you probably took it over a 25-year term. 25 years has become the accepted ‘standard' length for a new mortgage and you've probably been quoted for your home loan assuming that term.

However, according to mortgage brokers, increasing numbers of borrowers are asking for mortgages of 30 or 35 years in order to keep their repayments down. So, should you consider a longer mortgage term? We look at the pros and cons and identify two situations where a longer term may work for you.

Long-term mortgages offer lower repayments but higher total interest costs

One of the main advantages of taking out your mortgage over a longer term is that you will reduce your monthly repayments. According to the Daily Mail, if you borrow £190,000 at 5.5% over a 30-year term you would pay £1,078 per month - £89 lower than if you took the loan over the traditional 25-year term.

If you choose a 35-year term your monthly cost would be £1,020 - saving you £147 a month or £1,764 a year on a traditional deal.

Keith Osborne, editor of Whathouse.co.uk, says: "While your monthly repayments will be cheaper under a longer-term deal, you will pay more interest in total. In the example above you'd pay around £39,000 in additional interest if you take the mortgage over 30 years rather than 25 years."

So, when should you consider a longer-term mortgage? Here are two suggestions.

1. When you're a first-time buyer and you need to minimise your costs

When speaking to a mortgage broker about your mortgage, if your repayments take up a high proportion of your income it may result in you being declined for a loan. However, taking the mortgage over a longer term can make the repayments more affordable and increase your chances of being accepted.

Once you're established in the property and your repayments become more comfortable you can then consider shortening the term.

2. If you need to reduce your repayments for a temporary period

If you find yourself in a position where meeting your repayments is tough - perhaps one of your household earners loses their job or you start a family - extending your mortgage term can bring your repayments down.

Osborne adds: "Most lenders will let you change your mortgage term for a small admin fee. However, you should always try to re-establish your original term as soon as you can afford to."

Click here to find out more about how Whathouse.co.uk can help you find the right mortgage.

Mactaggart & Mickel Homes' luxurious Hillpark development in Blackhall, Edinburgh now has three beautifully presented two-bedroom apartments available, with prices ranging from £259,995 to £284,995.

The stylish ‘Shiel' offers a spacious lounge with a five-aspect bay window, triple French doors and elegant balcony. The property also has ample storage, with fitted wardrobes in the master bedroom and additional storage in the hall.

There are also two ‘Teacuis' apartments available at the development, one of which is an elegant garden flat with plush French doors leading outside. The impressive accommodation provides a home with a view as the airy lounge and kitchen overlook an area of mature woodland to the rear. Both the master and second bedroom benefit from convenient en suite bathrooms.

Hillpark is a spacious, green development just a stone's throw from Corstorphine Hill offering great views over the city and out to the Pentland Hills. Situated in the sought after area of Blackhall just four short miles from the bustling centre of Edinburgh, the development is an excellent choice for commuters with quick links to the airport and main motorway routes just a short drive away.

It is also a great base for those who enjoy hitting the high street for some retail therapy as well as for golfing enthusiasts, with a number of excellent courses nearby.

This week. Marc Da Silva continues his series of interviews with senior figures in the new homes industry by posing the questions to Helen Rollason, sales manager for regional housebuilder Walton Homes.

What regions do you cover? We have sites all over the Midlands, including Greater Birmingham, Staffordshire, Derbyshire Warwickshire and Leicestershire.

What are housing market conditions currently like in those areas? I would say that market conditions right across the UK are mixed and the Midlands housing market is just the same. But there is a feeling of positivity in the marketplace, with construction in the Midlands up by over 7% on last year and a steady 5% rise in house prices nationally. The effect of the government's scheme, Help to Buy, is also undeniable in that we are seeing more and more first-time buyers visiting our developments looking to take advantage of the scheme each week.

As a local family housebuilder, we carefully consider the product mix, house designs and the location of our developments to ensure that we are meeting the needs of local people - whether that is contemporary apartments on commuter lines, or substantial family homes in a rural location.

What types of properties is your firm developing? We offer a real mix of properties for people at every stage of the property ladder. In the last year, we have delivered a range of one-bedroom studio apartments, two-bedroom bungalows, mixed-use town centre schemes and developments offering three- and four-bedroom family homes, as well as substantial five-bedroom properties.

In the last few weeks we have started construction and are now well underway on a one-off bespoke home in Lysways Way, Longdon Green - recently listed as one of the top desirable postcodes in the Midlands - which offers something quite unique to the marketplace. We already have a number of interested parties on our database for this home alone.

How much does a new home by Walton Homes cost to buy? With properties to suit every budget, our homes start in price from £74,950 for a one-bedroom studio apartment, or £59,960 under Help to Buy, with a deposit of £3,748, up to £425,000 for a substantial five-bedroom family home at our Squires Gate development - made up of just two luxury properties.

We also offer a variety of homes designed to suit second-steppers and growing families, including our best seller, the three-bedroom ‘Ebington' house, which is priced from £159,950, or £127,960 under Help to Buy.

Is your company currently offering any incentives or discounts to homebuyers? As a family housebuilder, Walton Homes is committed to helping people in the Midlands to get onto, and move up the property ladder. We currently offer a range of schemes across our developments including part-exchange, which allows people to purchase a Walton Homes property and sell their own homes quickly - without the hassle of chains falling through below - as we will sell the property for them through our agents.

We also offer the government's Help to Buy scheme, under which people can purchase a home with a deposit of just five per cent. Homeowners will only need to secure a mortgage for 75% of the property's value, as the government provides the funds for the additional 20%, to be repaid at a later date. Help to Buy is available across all our developments including our larger homes up to the £600,000 threshold, meaning that it's easier for growing families to move up the ladder too.

As a family housebuilder, we are in a unique position in that we are not bound to the same restraints that many larger PLCs are, so we can tailor deals according to the needs of the purchaser. We offer a number of ‘hot plots' across our developments, where homes are advertised for sale at a lower price for a limited time, as well as offering incentives such as paying the stamp duty and legal fees on a new property or fitting flooring for free. Although it might seem like a small token, the savings on legal fees and stamp duty alone can save purchasers over £10,000 in fees.

Why should more buyers consider buying a new-build home as opposed to older property? There are many reasons why people should buy a new home, but the key one would be a lack of maintenance required with new homes, and the peace of mind that brings.

What many people don't realise when they buy an older property is that the homes will almost always need some form of renovation work in order to bring the property up to homeowner's own tastes and standards of living, whether that's basic decorating and new kitchens and bathrooms, or major jobs such as a new heating system or UPVC windows.

When buying a new property you remove that added cost as everything is brand new, plus new homes are a blank canvas for people to put their own individual stamp on! All our new homes come with a 10-year NHBC warranty and are built with added insulation to ensure that homes retain heat - helping keep energy bills lower than in an older property.

Is it worth buying a property during the off-plan stage of construction? It definitely is. People who purchase from-plan will have the first choice on preferred plots within the development, ensuring that they secure the slightly larger garden or the best views!

Early purchasers are also able to play an active involvement in the whole process, watching their homes being built from the ground up on-site, as well as being able to work with the team to pick their own fixtures and fittings, putting their own individual stamp on their new home.

Every week we'll tell you about the events being held at new homes developments across the UK over the next seven days. Find out about the launch of the very latest developments, the unveiling of new show homes, open days and much more.

South West

Redrow Homes - Saturday 30 November, from 4.00pm to 8.00pm - Christmas event at The Heathfields in Monkton Heathfield near Taunton, Somerset, with Santa's grotto and two of his reindeer on site. Santa switches on the lights in the ‘Hampstead' show home at 7.00pm.

Midlands

Barratt Homes - Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December, from 10.00am to 5.00pm - Launch event for two new show homes at Windmill Heights on Messenger Road in Smethwick, West Midlands. The three-bedroom properties, a ‘Morpeth' and a ‘Barwick Plus', are part of a range priced from £158,950.

London

Lovell - Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December, from 10.00am to 5.00pm - Launch of Ferraro Court in Hounslow. Visitors to the marketing suite will see plans of the apartments on offer, priced from £177,500 for a one-bedroom property, from £220,000 for a two-bedroom property and from £250,000 for a three-bedroom property. Help to Buy available.

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Fazeley, Staffordshire - David Wilson Homes - The final phase of apartments is now available at The Laurels on Lichfield Street. Two-bedroom apartments are priced from £122,500.

Hinckley, Leicestershire - Bloor Homes - A new ‘Olton' show home is now open at Hinckley Park, with a 100% part exchange scheme available.

Burbage, Leicestershire - Charles Church Developments - Sales office now open at Azalea, a collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes priced from £142,995.

Marehay, Derbyshire - Crest Nicholson - A new show apartment is now open at Denby Bank. Properties start at £68,760,with Help to Buy available.

Telford, Shropshire - Barratt Homes - A new show home is now open at Woodland View in Lawley Village, a three-storey, four-bedroom ‘Rochester' house.

Livingston, West Lothian - CALA Homes - Now available, the first phase of homes at Murieston Gait, a collection of 51 family properties priced from £370,000.

Sunninghill, Berkshire - Bellway/Waterfords New Homes - Now open, an exclusive development on 17 four- and five-bedroom homes at Claremont, with prices starting at £1.2m.

Woolwich, London - Berkeley Homes - Just launched, Nouvel I, the latest phase of apartments at Royal Arsenal Riverside.

Chorley, Lancashire - Morris Homes - Now open, a new four-bedroom detached ‘Moreton' show home at Rivington View, where prices start at £186,750.

Some 5,375 new homes were acquired in England using the first phase of the government's flagship Help to Buy scheme, with 92% of these new-build homes sold to first-time buyers, fresh figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) show.

Stage one of Help to Buy, which was launched in April of this year, was designed to assist those buying new-build homes with a shared equity loan.

The figures released by the DCLG reveal that the average price of a new build home purchased under the Help to Buyscheme was £194,167, with an average equity loan of £38,703.

The report also shows that the highest number of Help to Buy sales were recorded in Leeds, Wiltshire, Milton Keynes and Reading.

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the HBF, said: "Help to Buy is increasing demand for new homes and the industry is responding. People's inability to buy in recent years has been the biggest constraint on the industry's efforts to build more homes. If people can buy, builders will build."

Housebuilders have indeed responded to greater demand for new homes by increasing housing supply.

Official figures show that there were 28,580 new homes started by private housebuilders in England in the July, August and September quarter this year - up 29% on the same corresponding period in 2012. It is the highest number of new homes started in a quarter since Q1 2008.

Pete Redfern, chief executive of Taylor Wimpey, said: "It [Help to Buy] enables us to build more homes on the sites we have already got open, and also gives us more confidence about investing in future sites and infrastructure which creates more jobs and economic activity locally."

Councillors have been ordered to develop a minimum of 17,130 new homes in North Somerset over the next 13 years at a cost of over £100m after a High Court ruled the authority's housing targets were unlawful.

The council's core strategy plan for new housing development and future proposals is being re-examined after the High Court ruled that the Planning Inspectorate had "failed to give adequate or intelligible reasons" for its decision that the council's original target of 14,000 homes was sufficient to meet demand for housing in the district.

The recommendation to build more new homes has been approved by councillors after a legal challenge was brought about by the University of Bristol, who wanted to build 1,000 new homes in North Somerset - a plan which had no support in the council's strategy.

According to the council's core strategy report, Edge Analytics were commissioned to advise members on the district's housing need. The firm produced a low to high housing-need table with the lowest amount of new homes the council would need to build being 17,130, an average requirement of 19,395 new homes and the highest being 20,220.

Demand for properties at Bancon Homes' Aspire development in Aberdeen's Union Grove has been exceptional, with around 150 people attending a launch event, and 500 registering interest in the development. As a result, all 19 of the luxury apartments released in this first phase sold out in record time, three of them under the recently launched Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme.

This scheme allows suitable buyers to buy a new-build home, costing up to £400,000, providing the mortgage and deposit cover at least 80% of the property price. The balance is paid for by an equity loan from the government, that must be repaid when the property is sold or at the end of the mortgage period.

The strong desire for city properties has been reinforced by Aberdeen's recent success in The Good Growth for Cities report, which ranked the Granite City as the Best in Scotland, measuring such key areas as jobs, health, income, skills, work-life balance, house prices, travel-to-work times and pollution.

Iain Innes, managing director of Bancon Homes says: "Aberdeen has long been recognised as an attractive place to set up home and the city's recent ranking is no surprise given its vibrant economy and the continued strong demand for properties.

"Spiralling rental costs, coupled with the Help to Buy scheme, have contributed to the increased demand for properties both in Aberdeen and in more rural locations such as Aboyne, where we've seen a recent 20% increase in sales at our Kemsley Green development."

Aboyne is renowned for being one of the most picturesque villages in Royal Deeside and Bancon's Kemsley Green is the only site offering Help to Buy locally. As a result it has already taken its first reservation under the Scheme, and has stepped up construction work to meet increased demand for luxury family homes.

The Kemsley Green showhome is open Friday to Sunday from 11.00am to 5.00pm. Prices at the development start at £283,000.

As the British economy recovers, it is becoming easier to get a mortgage - even if you are a first-time buyer. A combination of government initiatives, lender competition and greater confidence in the market mean the choice of deals is now as good as it has been in the last five years.

However, if you're looking to get onto the property ladder it can still be tough to find the right deal for you. So here are three great little known tips to help you to find the mortgage you need.

Help to Buy

The Independent reports that "the government-backed [Help to Buy] scheme has definitely increased the availability of high loan-to-value mortgages and given a real fillip to market sentiment." Two state-backed lenders are already offing 95% mortgages under Help to Buy with further companies expected to join them in the New Year.

"While Help to Buy schemes are available you should still shop around before choosing a 95% loan," says Keith Osborne, editor of Whathouse.co.uk. "While there may be more low-deposit mortgages available the cost of these hasn't fallen in the way the government may have hoped. It can pay to look at both Help to Buy schemes and the wider market to find the right deal."

Approach your regional specialists

If you're struggling to get a mortgage from a High Street lender it can pay to approach one of your regional building societies. ‘Local loans' are offered by many mutuals including the Cambridge, Nottingham, Market Harborough and Monmouthshire building societies and rates are competitive compared to the Help to Buy products.

Charlotte Nelson from data analysts Moneyfacts says: "First-time buyers should look closer to home for a mortgage as many local building societies offer great 95% deals but to local residents only."

Shared ownership

Under a shared appreciation scheme you use a mortgage to buy a proportion of a property. You then pay rent for the remainder and, over time, you borrow more money as you can afford it and the percentage owned increases to 100%.

"Shared ownership is an alternative way for buyers to reach their dream of homeownership in a more affordable way by purchasing a share and paying rent on the remainder - often the combined monthly costs are significantly lower than renting in a similar area," says Kush Rawal, of Thames Valley Housing.

Osborne adds: "If you're considering shared appreciation it is worth remembering that you can incur fees every time you buy an additional share of your home. You should also speak to a mortgage broker for advice on which lenders offer this type of mortgage scheme."

Click here to find out more about how Whathouse.co.uk can help you find the right mortgage.