I agree it is totally unfair and difficult for younger people, people wanting to trade up, move from a flat to a house etc. I bought my first flat in Hackney and second one in Dalston, I was unable to move to anything bigger or in a slightly better area because the prices went sky high and that was when I researched and found this area 5 years ago. I think it is an amazing area and have enjoyed living here very much. Now prices here apparently have gone up again. I am hoping to move and pay off a large chunk of mortgage. My mortgage was huge because I bought expensively and spent loads of money doing up a house I expected to stay in for the next 20 years. A couple of years ago I was unable to work for 18 months due to health reasons and returned to a much lower paid job. I'm only telling this story to illustrate that sometimes you just can't tell what will happen with house prices/ your life etc. Now I may benefit from prices going up and move to a smaller house in a cheaper area, and not have a huge mortgage. Still it doesn't help younger people or first time buyers!