Key signs the time is right to buy a house

How to know you're secure enough to step on the property ladder with the least pain

- By ELLA WALKER

Finding a way on to the property ladder can feel impossible, and pressure can lead others to buy before they are ready. The average house price is £269,000 - in London it's around £600,000 - likely the biggest financial commitment you'll make in a lifetime.

Filling out a mortgage or stamp duty calculator online can give you an idea of what position you're in. But Emily Boxall, founder of financial education firm microfact.co.uk, warns: "One generic calculator won't paint the picture of your personal situation.”

These signs can help too...