A new survey conducted by Bradford & Bingley reveals that Nine out of ten first-time home buyers are still struggling to afford the property they desire. As many as 43% say that they are still struggling to save enough for their initial deposit, despite cooling house prices. While a third (31%) of recent buyers, admitted that they had failed to negotiate a lower sale price.

Duncan Pownall, mortgage development manager for Bradford & Bingley says: "The fact that a third arent negotiating anything off the asking price doesnt help their situation."

"They need to realise that without a property to sell they are in a strong bargaining position... and should use this to their advantage. It could save them thousands of pounds."