For first time buyers, the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched back on, as lenders appear more open to smaller deposits for first time buyer mortgages.
The number of 10%-deposit mortgage deals has risen from 89 to 105 since March, while the number of products available with a 15% mortgage deposit has risen from 169 to 231.
These signs of thaw have not filtered through to interest rates on mortgages, however, with average mortgage rates remaining on an even keel since the early spring.
The average 2-year fixed rate mortgage is currently 5.06%, showing no change since July, and posting an actual increase from 4.84% in March.
The average 2-year tracker rate is now 3.76%, compared with 3.86% in March.
The total residential UK market has also expanded, rising from 1,431 available mortgage deals to 1,564 in the last 8 months, according to research service Moneyfacts.
