An estate agent says her "heart goes out" to first-time buyers trying to get on the property market during the cost of living crisis.

Gwen Kenmuir, from Tunbridge Wells, has been in the home selling business for 21 years.

Speaking on the current economic situation, where the market means most people in their early 20s still live with their parents, she said: "With everything going on right now it is going to make things really difficult for first-time buyers.

"My heart goes out to them because everyone wants to own their own home but it is just really really difficult right now."

The 61-year-old began her career in South Africa with Pam Golding Properties after hearing about the industry from a family member.

Now living in Kent with her family, Gwen is an associate of Keller Williams, an American company.

She said: "As an associate of Keller Williams I have my own company, Gwen's Properties, which offers sales and lettings.

"It's just a pity at the moment because of the economic situation that we have here.

"The sort of average property price in the last 12 months in Tunbridge Wells is around the £512,000 mark.

"However, detached homes on average are £948,000, semis are £506, 000, terraced houses are £409,000 and flats are about the £279,000 mark.

"I think this is going to go into change with the economic situation, but a lot of questions are being asked and people are undecided as to what to do. "More people are deciding to stay put, there's been a fair amount of properties withdrawn off the market, which also then creates a bit of a housing shortage.

"And then again, if someone requires a mortgage, with rates going up, it's going to cause a bit of a squeeze."

Gwen believes people who currently have fixed mortgages are going to sit tight.

She continued: "Homeowners are facing a squeeze on many fronts, the mortgage rates are going up, so is the cost of food, petrol, that sort of thing, which is therefore affecting people's ability to purchase.

"So the people that have actually got a fixed mortgage are sort of in prime seats right now.

"I think those are the people that are going to be sort of sticking with with what they've got, rather than moving on."

The nan-of-three emphasised how much she loves her job and how rewarding it is.

She said: "It's actually not a job it's a way of life, I absolutely love it.

"My passion for the industry has helped me understand that the property market runs in cycles.

"Rentals are also really expensive at the moment and there's definitely a lack of housing as well so again, it's really really difficult for people trying to get rentals at an affordable price as well.

"The best thing first-time buyers can do is probably just save as much as they possibly can to get that bigger deposit, it will certainly decrease the mortgage payments.

"Make sure that the affordability is there and that you do have a bit of a backdrop, because life throws us many curveballs"