A recent report by the Council of Mortgage lenders, showed the average deposit for first-time buyers to get onto the property ladder is now £31,500; a staggering rise from just £12,700 in 2007.

When combined with it taking an average of 29 months for first-time buyers to save that amount, the report highlights just how hard it is to make that first step on the property ladder.

It is no surprise then that first-time buyers are seeking financial help from their parents to get the money together for a deposit and Megan Duddy - a customer representative for Nationwide - did just that when buying a two-bedroom apartment at New Meridian Village, Ramsgate by Explore Living.

"It was a top priority for me to get on the property ladder as soon as possible and when I saw the apartments at New Meridian Village I knew it was the perfect starter home for me," said the 18-year-old.

New Meridian Village was recently awarded Best New Starter Home at the 2011 Evening Standard New Homes Awards and offers a collection of one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses.

Explore Living recently launched its fourth phase at the development, made up of 15 two and three-bedroom houses offering homes to suit all buyers.

Megan added: "It is in a really good location, close to the train station and my work and not far from my parent's house. I am so grateful to my parents for helping me with the deposit; I would have had to wait years to buy otherwise."

Each property offers intelligent and innovative features including under-floor heating in the apartments, optional integrated-sound system with iPod docking station, pre-wiring for Sky+ and flat screen TVs and solid concrete floors and staircases to help eliminate squeaking floorboards.

Megan commented: "The apartment has a very high specification and came with all the appliances such as a microwave which made it even more appealing. We had also looked at a property that needed renovation but this is so much better as I could move straight in and I have the added benefit of a 10 year NHBC warranty."

John Inglis of Explore Living added: "We do our utmost to help first time buyers and know that finding the deposit is probably the hardest part.

"At Explore Living we offer a range of incentives to help first time buyers purchase their own home including the Route 85 scheme and Try Before You Buy to make it as easy as possible."

Try BeforeYou Buy lets buyers experience life at New Meridian Village by renting an apartment or house before committing to buy.

If they decide to buy, tenants will have the opportunity to use the rent paid to the value of up to 5% as part of their purchase. Route 85 allows first-time buyers to own 100 per cent of their property while only paying 85 per cent of the purchase price.

The other 15 per cent is an interest free loan which is deferred for 10 years.

Prices at the development start from £127,995. For more information contact 0845 8721004 or go to http://www.exploreliving.co.uk/