The NHBC’s First Time Buyers Ability to Buy index has hit an all time low during the second quarter of this year, it has emerged.

The Index, which takes into account the average cost of homes bought by first time buyers, average income and mortgage interest rates, fell to 41 points – the lowest level since the index was started 28 years ago.

Imtiaz Farookhi, NHBC Chief Executive, says: “The index reduced dramatically in the second quarter to below the previously lowest level in 1989 and is reflective of the increasing difficulties being experienced by those wishing to buy their first home.”

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NHBC statistics also showed a strong year-on-year rise in new house prices, with the average price of a new home in Great Britain costing £194,000 in quarter two this year, six per cent higher on the same period a year ago (£183,000).

The most significant average price rise was in Northern Ireland, where the average price of a new build property in quarter two this year was £220,000 – 48 per cent increase on the same period in 2006 (49,482). Of that total, 42,485 related to private sector activity (i.e. excluding housing associations), showing little change on the same period a year ago. (42,535).

Housing association volumes in the UK increased significantly during quarter two, 2007 which starts totalling 10,403, an increase of 50 per cent on the same period a year ago.

(JM/SP)