Don't forget the re-sale market, says county estate agent

The Government needs to do more to help first-time buyers get on to the property ladder and into used homes, according to a Gloucestershire agent.

James Birt, partner at Naylor Powell estate agents, which has offices in Gloucester, Newent and Stonehouse, said while he welcomed the Government's announcement to help first-time buyers and developers last week, he was also "frustrated".

"It is frustrating because they are only focusing on one part of the housing market and that's new homes," he said.

"There are a lot of homes already built that are good for first-time buyers. There are other ways you can help them.

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"A first-time buyer buying a used home will help the market get moving, it would have a chain effect.

"If they bought a £120,000 home it would have a knock-on effect all the way up to the say, £700,000 or £800,000 house at the end of the chain."

James said the Stonehouse branch, where he is based, had had a quiet August but early signs for autumn were "very positive".

"Holiday companies have shown a huge increase in last minute deals so August was never going to be that busy," he said.

"It was very noticeable when the school holidays started but in the first week schools went back enquiries have risen again. We are already seeing that September is going to be a very busy month and we are looking at a brighter last quarter of the year."

James added lettings were less affected by seasons and the market was "extremely busy".

He also said there was nowhere near enough supply in the Stonehouse and Stroud area. Despite that, there are plenty of investors around, he said.

"There are a number of investors around and putting their money into property – 85 per cent mortgages aren't around at the moment but even those are coming back again.

"People know property prices go down a bit and then back up again.

"There is a huge buy-to-let opportunity here and a huge demand for rental properties in the area."

James added he didn't think an increase in rental prices would continue as they had been or put people off renting.

"When people reach their early or mid-20s they don't want to live with their parents and they want to stay mobile," he said.

Naylor Powell has both lettings and sales departments. James has held the reins at the Stonehouse branch of the agency since it opened in September 2010.