Property Prices Up, Property Prices Down, the headlines seem to change every week - which is it and who should be benefitting?

What we can gather is that the real leverage for buyers right now is the often reported mismatch between this increasing supply of properties for sale and faltering demand from cautious house-hunters who are thinking long and hard before committing to a purchase.

The shortage of purchasers means sellers are bending over backwards to secure a sale - even if it's well below the asking price - thereby giving buyers the upper hand. This is very good news for buyers who can capitalise on seller insecurity and take the plunge.

If you've found a place you want to buy, you can now afford to be more ruthless with your offer and put in a bolder, lower figure than you may previously have considered. Remember that delay might cost you that all important bargain - you never know when the market is going to change back in favour of the seller!