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First-time nerve - or nerves?

More than ever first-time buyers are relying on their parents to help them onto the housing ladder, a survey suggests.

Climbing onto the property ladder can be as daunting as climbing Everest, said Skipton Building Society, and one in four people aged 20 to 35 were now counting on parental help to help with the deposit.

And in addition, more than one in 10 expect their parents to guarantee their mortgage, putting the parental home at risk.

Being financially independent is no longer an option for many potential first time buyers as almost 40% say they struggle to save and nearly a quarter say they fail to save anything at all. This means that when it comes to buying a house, they're having to look to their parents for help.

 For those that have the nerve to ask for parental help or those that have been able to save for a deposit Skipton has designed a website that may calm first-time nerves - www.firsttimenerves.co.uk - to make sure they know what to look for, so they buy not just a house, but a home. The site includes tips on what to ask sellers and a series of checklists to take to a viewing to make sure nothing is missed.