75% aim to buy a house within five years

Three out of four people want to buy a house in the next five years, with value for money and access to loans still the main stumbling blocks.

While the housing crash has not dampened desire to get on the property ladder, a survey has found most prospective buyers are putting off their purchase until prices fall further — with six out of 10 house-hunters wanting to have their own property within the next two years.

Two thirds of those surveyed expect they will be able to find their ideal property for less than €250,000, although there are still a few big spenders out there: 4.4% say they expect to pay over €500,000.