Families around the country are likely to be among those most at risk of having their home repossessed over the course of this year, according to one expert.
Paul Holmes, operations director of first-time buyer solutions firm Firstrung, is convinced that families with a new mortgage deal in place will be seriously stretched financially over the coming months.
Making a move from a three-bedroom to a four-bedroom property can result in a much heavier debt management burden that will be very difficult to carry in the current economic climate, Mr Holmes maintains.
"The real damage here in repossession territory unfortunately is in the family arena. That’s where the affordability is killing people," he said.
Recent first-time buyers by contrast should be able to deal with the downturn in the economy and the fall in property prices, according to Mr Holmes.
Figures from Credit Action have shown that the typical household debt management burden in the UK, including mortgage arrears, is worth in excess of £57,000.