You could be forgiven for thinking it's all doom and gloom for today's first-time buyers. But there are ways to make it more affordable, such as buying with a partner or friends. The obvious advantage of buying with someone else is that it allows you to buy a bigger and possibly better home in the area of your choice.

It's important that the estate agents regard you as a serious applicant. Show willing and be eager to view. Call them regularly to check on new property listings.

Here are some useful tips to keep in mind when looking for the house of your dreams:

• View the properties as soon as possible. Leave it too long and you could lose the house.
• Don't be afraid to make numerous visits.
• to see our Viewers Guide click here

It's human nature to try to strike a deal, but if you find your ideal home and it seems to be priced correctly, consider offering the full asking price. This means you'll be taken seriously, there won't be any time-wasting and it will lessen the possibility of another party stepping in (see Gazumping, below).

Gazumping - outbidding rivals at the last minute - is a horror that  estate agents are powerless to stop. Unless you're lucky enough to live in Scotland where there are laws to protect the buyer. Under the Estate Agency Act, estate agents are obliged to pass on all offers they receive, although a determined buyer will probably go straight to the vendor.

There's little you can do to repel a determined bidder, but there are ways to lessen the chance of it happening, or at least reduce the impact if it does:

• Offer the full asking price
• Be flexible with the vendor and don't quibble over minor points.
• Make it clear you're willing to complete on their timescale, not yours.
• Be nice to the vendor - if you've established some kind of relationship with them, it should be harder for them to let you down.