New homes are set to become increasingly popular among people looking to purchase a house over the next few years, according to Vernon Pethard, managing director of online resource New Homes For Sale.

Mr Pethard explained there is currently a short supply of new properties due to reasons such as the problems being faced by first-time buyers in accessing mortgage finance and the "snail-like" progress being made on the nation's planning system.

Last week (November 17th), the Department for Communities and Local Government revealed that the seasonally-adjusted house building starts dipped by one per cent in the third quarter of the year compared to the previous three-month period.

And Mr Pethard noted that the administration and lenders in the property market now need to do more in order to stimulate the sector following the recession.