FIRST-TIME buyers are now securing places on the property ladder in their largest numbers since the financial crisis of 2008.
In one of the strongest signs yet of recovery in the housing market, new figures show 6500 loans were issued to first-time buyers between April and June this year, up 2000 on the first three months of 2013.
The average first-time buyer in Scotland is now 28-years-old and taking out a first mortgage of £89,943, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).
One property expert said the figures showed young people were becoming more responsible.
The brisk activity among those seeking to own their own home comes as a number of Scottish Government schemes aim to improve access to finance.
Iain Malloch, chairman of CML Scotland, said: "The positive growth in lending to both first-time buyers and home movers has led to a welcome rise in lending for house purchases in Scotland.
"With comparatively lower prices in Scotland than the UK as a whole, first-time buyers are able to borrow less relative to income."
Figures show banks loaned £630 million to first-time buyers between April and June, up 54% on the first three months of the year and up 40% when compared to the same period in 2012.
With comparatively lower property prices than in the UK as a whole, new buyers borrowed 2.91 times their income, lower than the 3.3 UK average. In further evidence of recovery, slightly larger mortgages are being borrowed by first-time buyers, with a loan typically 82% of the value, compared to 80% at the start of the year.
Bill Cullens, chairman of Clyde Property, said: "These figures are good news. We need a first-time buyer market to keep the rest of the market going.
"It is those buying the one-bedroom flat that allows people to move up to a two-bedroom house, who will further down the line trade up to a three-bedroom house.
"You will find that young people are reflecting on the introduction of the Government incentive schemes and finding now is the right time to buy. They are becoming far more responsible."
In May, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a £120m fund to help both those wanting to buy their first home and second-steppers hoping to sell their property and move further up the chain.
In a move also designed to help the construction industry, those who successfully applied to the scheme will buy a majority share in the new build, with the Scottish Government buying the rest.
When the property is sold, the Government receives a cash sum proportionate to its share.
In an indication of ease of movement within the market, CML said a further 8100 mortgages were issued between April and June to those seeking to sell one home and buy another.
This is a significant increase on the first three months of the year, when 5500 loans were approved to those borrowing for this purpose.
Overall, lending for house purchases was worth £1740m in the second quarter, up in value by 55% on the first three months of the year and by 16% over the same period last year.
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