Good news The number of mortgages mortgage deals available has returned to the level of early 2008, before the banking crisis reached its peak. Statistics show the 2,600 mortgage types on offer - 60% require at least a 20% deposit and only 2% need a deposit of 5% or less - and of course the news this week about the 100% mortgage deal may make the lenders sharpen their pencils a little. The lack of mortgages in the past few years has led to home sales falling by more than half … Moneyfacts, have compiled the figures, said lending to people with small deposits was still very restricted.

"While the number of deals for borrowers with a 5% deposit or less has increased, the majority require a guarantor to qualify or are from lenders which offer restricted lending," said Michelle Slade of Moneyfacts.

"First-time buyers still really need at least a 10% deposit before they can find any real mortgage options."

Ms Slade also comments ... lenders were worried about borrowers defaulting if interest rates rose, and were concentrating their lending on people who could put down at least a 25% deposit.

The UK housing market has witnessed months of relatively low activity, with the economic climate leading to a wait-and-see approach from many potential buyers and sellers.

The latest figures from HMRC showed that 10,000 fewer homes were sold in the UK in July 2011 than a year earlier.

So what can sellers do to make their homes more attractive for the buyers who are out there?

With ongoing competition for buyers, it is important that sellers consider how best to market their property and the steps to take to achieve a sale.

// Sue N. Me Editor - top100mortgages.com