FIRST-time buyers’ share of the housing market fell to an average of 12.2 per cent per month in 2005, the lowest figure to be recorded by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) housing market survey.

The first-time buyer percentage share figure has been gradually falling since 2000, when first-time buyers accounted for, on average, 29 per cent of total sales each month.

In 2002 the figure dropped to under a quarter of all sales. Last year saw the first-time buyer share decreasing even further, to account for just over one 10th of the market.

While first-time buyers improved their share of the housing market from 7.04 per cent in December to 9.06 per cent in January, these levels are still the lowest recorded for a January since the survey began. In January, 2005 the percentage share for first-timers was 11.7 per cent. In January, 2000 the figure was 33.4 per cent.

NAEA Chief Executive Peter Bolton King comments: "We urge the Government to consider these figures when looking at policies which could help first time buyers to get on the property ladder.

"Close attention needs to be paid to the affordability and availability of first time-buyer properties if this downward trend is to be reversed. Eradicating stamp duty for first-timers is one way the Government could make a positive difference.

"We will continue to campaign on behalf of first-time buyers over the coming year."