Research out today shows that 93% of first-time buyers despair of ever getting on the housing ladder. Affordability is the main reason they are unable to buy and despite fears over house prices at the moment, most feel that the affordability aspect won't change over the next six months and think it could actually get harder.

First-time buyers site, FirstRungNow.com, who ran the research, asks what options are there available?

Two increasingly popular options for would-be homeowners are Shared Ownership, buying in conjunction with a housing association or housing trust and Joint Ownership, buying with a friend.

Figures show more than one in 10 first time buyers are now clubbing together with friends to afford their first home.

Joint Ownership entails sharing the cost of any deposit, purchasing fees and ongoing mortgage payments. It can enable you to club together to perhaps leap-frog the first rung of the property ladder getting more value for money.

The joint owners become tenants in common and would have a trust deed setting out the share of ownership at purchase and a co-habitation agreement outlining how co-habitees will live together as well as the basis of the splitting of finances when they come to sell up or if somebody wants to move on.

Shared Ownership allows the purchase of a home, typically just developed or refurbished in conjunction with an organisation. The basis of ownership can vary from housing association to housing association and the contracts should be well understood by the first time buyer. Over time, the rent paid for the part not owned by the individual/s at the outset means the home can eventually become theirs. This sort of scheme is popular with key workers and those unable to raise a deposit as 100% mortgages can often be taken. To be considered eligible for a shared ownership scheme it is first necessary to apply to a local Housing Corporation and get onto a list.

Both options offer the chance to share some of the up front and ongoing costs but they can be quite different in their nature from a legal perspective - and the flexibility in each situation can vary quite dramatically for example with tie-ins or what you decide to do if you want to move on.

First-time buyers' web-site www.FirstRungNow.com has led the way in helping people understand the legalities and practicalities of joint ownership as a realistic way forward. But a recent survey of its members reveals that there is much confusion and dissatisfaction with the current state of the first timer property market

Helen Adams, Director of FirstRungNow Ltd comments: "This is a very difficult and confusing time for people feeling trapped into a rental situation - for the first time for many years, there is uncertainty about whether it is a good time to invest in property."

"With so many views on what the market will do there is a great deal of confusion all round. On the other hand, our research shows that it is well understood that paying a year's rent could easily be more of a loss than any dip in value of a property and that investing in your home is a long term project."

All legal and mortgage queries relating to shared/joint ownership can be answered via FirstRungNow's dedicated 'experts' section on their site at www.firstrungnow.com.