[LoveBug]

My parents took out their first mortgage in 1977 it was 11/12% and they recall having a very difficult job convincing their lender they could afford it. When we took ours out 5 years ago we were offered a minumum of 5 times our combined salary even though I was pregnant so obviously might not have carried on working.

We have been lucky in a very sad way because my husband's unmarried Aunt died last year and he was left enough money to pay off our mortgage. It must be very difficult to get a foot on the property ladder, it was for us, and I feel sorry for those starting out now but ask your parents about the 70's.