How long would you save for a deposit?

No, we don't mean the deposit you put down for a rented flat, but the all-important deposit for your own home, the one that gets you on the property ladder.

According to a survey conducted by the Halifax (published by propertyDRUM), the average deposit paid by first time buyers is now just under £27,000. For most graduates, that is thousands of ££ over and above their entry level salaries for the first few jobs they secure after university and will take years to save up for.

So, how many years would you consider saving up for a deposit? Bearing in mind, this may mean moving back in with your family after a period of living with friends or on your own?

Translated into years, it would take single savers over 30 years to save up enough to afford a London property, whilst elsewhere 14 years are enough. Does this mean we're becoming dedicated savers once again? Ahhh, no.

Most people aren't prepared to save for more than three years and simply settle for long-term renting. Now, before you argue that the Halifax is being negative, similar findings are being reported by the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA).

What about you? How many years would you consider saving up for a deposit? We look forward to hearing your thoughts.

What makes a student pad perfect?

A student accommodation website has asked students what's important to them when looking for the perfect pad.

The findings were published by Property Reporter today and most of them make a lot of sense. Before sharing some of the results with you, we'd like to ask what you most value in your perfect student flat?

Email us here.

As promised here are some of the survey results:

• properties need to be close to the respective university
• students living in private flats reported a better standard of accommodation
• respondents valued well-kept and maintained properties
• availability of wifi was more important than furnishings etc.

Do you agree? We look forward to hearing from you.