Buy-to-let curbs will take toll on landlords
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But it seems there is still no sign of a slowdown, if the latest figures from the British Bankers' Association are anything to go by.
The BBA says July's gross mortgage lending was £21.3bn - 12% higher than in the same period last year.
But the BBA agrees this is be-cause of higher levels of remortgaging rather than first-time buyers entering the market.
With the buy-to-let sector continuing to boom, it's unsurprising first-timers are continuing to struggle. Some firms in the market want to see more being done to help them.
Helen Adams, managing director of FirstRungNow.com, says: "Landlord properties rose 1% in value in just one month, their annual returns including rent are increasing and they are sitting pretty on every front.
"When interest rates go up, the costs are passed on to their tenants, who are often caught in a rental trap."
She adds that the rise in buy-to-let has ground the market to a halt for first-timers.
Adams says: "FirstRungNow.com would like to see a clampdown on one and two-bedroom buy-to-let properties to give first-time buyers a fighting chance.
"The desire to buy a first home and get on the property ladder is as strong as ever."
While I have every sympathy for first-time buyers, as a landlord myself I know that things aren't always as easy as they seem. Many of us are far from sitting pretty.
Properties may be rising in value but rental yields are not always growing accordingly so landlords are suffering.
And we must not forget that we usually have to pay Capital Gains Tax on any profits we make.
I don't think it would be right for the government to actively dictate to the free market and stop landlords from purchasing one and two-bedroom properties.
After all, not all young people want to buy a home. Some may want to pay off their debts first and leave themselves with the option of travelling or be free to move around the country for work.
Private renting gives them an option before they decide to commit themselves to one location.
On a separate note, I recently missed a chance to ask Hollywood actor Christian Slater for his views on the US sub-prime crisis.
I've just recovered from the excitement of being introduced to him thanks to Heather Scott, head of communications at Intelligent Finance, at an IF Comedy Awards re-ception at the Edinburgh Festival last month.
The star was so charming that all I could do was smile and nod.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear he loves reading The Scotsman.
Next time I meet him I must mention Mortgage Strategy.
