[Split from SE23 Topics > Forest Hill in The Times property section]

Talking to a local estate agent it appears that the market for flats and for first time buyers is extremely slow, as mortgages are so hard to get. Its ok stipulating a squeaky clean credit history but few people have this. Time for some realism in the property market! I;m not talking about being silly again and lending to bad risks , but nothing is going to change unless a few risks are taken.