By bizn_fun 
Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax, said the housing market had started the year on a “steady footing”.
However, with the average price passing the £300,000 mark “affordability remains a challenge for many would-be buyers”.
Despite this, she noted that wages have been rising faster than property prices since late 2022, “steadily improving underlying affordability”.
“That’s a positive trend for buyers, and the long-term health of the market,” she said.
“We’re now seeing more mortgage deals below 4%. If inflation continues to ease, there should be further gradual reductions as the year goes on.”