POST Office Money is sharing its ten tips for getting on the property ladder in 2018.

Managing director Owen Woodley says the Chancellor's scrapping stamp duty for first-time buyers is likely to have motivated aspiring home owners. Simple steps can help make the process as easy as possible:

1. Set a savings goal for a deposit and also to cover the cost of moving - an average of £7,590 for estate agent fees, stamp duty, conveyancing, surveyors’ fees and removal.

2. Monitor your spending to help you make cutbacks and save.

3. Figure out what you can afford to borrow by visiting www.postoffice.co.uk/mortgages/calculator

4. Check your credit report is accurate as this can be the deciding factor in mortgage approval.

5. Take time to investigate the variety of mortgages available for first-time buyers.

6. Talk to Mum and Dad. Post Office Money's First Start mortgage lets a family member's income be taken into account.

7. Follow the five-step guide developed by Post Office Money and technology start-up Proportunity to help identify future property hotspots - www.postoffice.co.uk/mortgages/house-buying-tips

8. Find out how long it takes for property to sell in your area, to help you plan ahead. The UK average is 96 days.

9. Be flexible about location. In a Post Office Money survey, 70 per cent of first-time buyers bought a home an average of 26 minutes from their original preference.

10. Finally, be cautious of applying for too many mortgage agreements in principle as each credit search will leave a mark on your credit report.