If you are looking to get that all important first step on the property ladder, then you need to prepare yourself financially. By making preparations, you will help boost your credit rating. Having a good credit rating will give you a wider choice of mortgages and will heighten your chances of getting accepted by a lender.

So what steps do you need to take?

First of all, open a high interest bearing savings account. You can then use this account to start building a deposit as well as have money put aside for all the costs associated with buying a home.

This will benefit you in two ways. The first way is that the bigger the deposit you have ? and you should aim for at least 5% of the anticipated purchase price ? the more mortgage products that will be available to you. Someone with a 10% deposit will have more mortgage options available to them than someone with a 5% deposit so save as hard as you can.

The second benefit of having a savings account is that it will look good on your credit file as it demonstrates responsible money management.

To build your credit rating further, for at least twelve months prior to moving, get your finances squeaky clean. Pay off any overdrafts, loans and any balances on credit cards. Pay all your bills on time. And never ever miss a payment on anything. Not even your mobile phone bill as this can negatively affect your credit rating.

Do not move bank accounts or switch jobs as stability is attractive to lenders. And if you are planning to get a joint mortgage, ensure that whoever you are planning to buy with follows these same steps too, as both your credit files will be taken in to consideration.

Getting a foot on to the property ladder is harder now than ever. With house prices rising far quicker than inflation, many first time buyers simply do not earn enough money to be able to buy a home.

So what options are available to you?

First of all, ask your parents. Could they release some of the equity in their home to raise a deposit for you in the form of a secured loan? Or would they be willing to act as a guarantor? A guarantor is where they agree to be liable for the mortgage should something go wrong.

Secondly, consider buying a place together with friends. Certainly, having three people buy a property means you can borrow a lot more money.

Another option is a shared ownership scheme. You tend to pay around 25% of the property's worth, and then pay rent on the remainder. You will have the option to own the house outright in the future. See www.housingcorp.gov.uk. for more information.

With these first two options, ensure that you draw up a proper legal agreement between yourselves as relationships can go wrong, however close you are.

And, finally, no matter how desperate you are to own your own place, make sure that you don't over stretch yourself with a mortgage. Affordability is the key. After all, there is no point having your own home is you are too cash strapped to be able to do it up or furnish it!