'People think it's weird - but our arrangement got me on the property ladder'

Getting a foot on the property ladder has become even more daunting for first-time buyers, especially in the current climate. Hundreds of mortgage deals have fallen through in recent weeks and the offers that are now being put to new homeowners appear to be even more unaffordable than before.

This puts first-time buyers in a difficult position, questioning whether or not they'll be priced out of the market. Many new househunters, especially solo buyers, then feel they are left with little to no option but to continue renting or live with family for longer than planned.

But for those who aren't in a position to buy somewhere alone or with a partner, there is another option that is becoming more popular today. Getting a mortgage with a friend to split the cost and get on the property ladder quicker is on the rise, with new research from GetAgent revealing that Google searches in the UK for "mortgage with a friend" are at their highest in five years.

READ MORE: How much first-time buyers now need to earn and save to buy a house in every Greater Manchester borough

James, 26, from Manchester bought a two-bed flat in Prestwich, Bury in February this year after getting accepted for a mortgage with his friend Danny Turner, 27.

The pair have known each other for ten years and decided to take the plunge after putting into perspective the cost difference of renting versus buying in the area.

"I rented in central Manchester for a year with two other friends which was quite expensive for what it was. I then moved back home before starting to look at renting somewhere in Prestwich," James, who works as an IT Manager, told the Manchester Evening News.

"Danny and I were looking to rent in the same area so we decided to find