Excess demand over supply is the greatest for a decade and 34% higher than last year sending house prices even higher.

The government's new 5% deposit mortgage scheme aims to help any home buyer that is struggling to get on the property ladder.

First time buyers with small deposits are returning to the market as lenders bring back high loan to value mortgages since the pandemic.

About 100,000 buyers already agreed to complete will miss the stamp duty holiday deadline leading many to expect an extension.

Transactions bounced back strongly for first time buyers in the second half of 2020 despite a 10.0% rise in house prices.

Rapid start to the year as buyer demand increases 13% across all regions and new house prices highs despite the third lockdown.

Pent-up demand for equity release and falling interest rates has seen a recovery in plans taken out after slowdown during the first lockdown.

Research from Halifax reveals the UK house price growth winners in 2020 is Islington in London with values 13.4% up last year.

The number of 10% deposit mortgage deals almost double as lenders offer first time buyers more choice to get on the property ladder.

Strong demand from affluent home movers has boosted the total value of sales agreed by 26% in 2020 compared to the previous year.

The government is not considering a stamp duty holiday extension after calls for more time following the latest Coronavirus Tier 4 rules.

Rightmove has forecast average asking prices rising 4% across the UK in 2021 as people place housing ahead of economic uncertainty.

For the month of November a survey from Halifax showed 14% of households believe the value of their homes has increased.

Demand for housing is a third higher than a year ago although it has been slowing since the start of the stamp duty holiday.

It helps sellers and buyers if properties can sell fast and here are the results from Zoopla of the top 20 fastest selling UK homes.

Lockdown demand remains high with new sellers pricing keenly to complete before the stamp duty holiday which ends next March.

For those looking to escape the restrictions of living in an urban area during lockdowns, living in a national park looks attractive.

There are 50% more sales of properties in the pipeline with house prices at a two-and-a-half-year high helped by the stamp duty holiday.

Mortgages numbers have halved in the last three months and rates are higher as cautious lenders prepare for the end of the furlough scheme.

The top ten most expensive streets in Britain are all in London with Kensington Palace Gardens costing the most and averaging £35m.