IF you are planning to buy or build in the next five years, it is a good idea to start the journey as early as you can. Even though there is a housing supply issue in the market currently, it will not always be like this and if you can start a savings habit, a small weekly amount can be a good help in the long run. The message here is start forward planning for the day you want to own your own home, even if this is well into the future. Companies including EBS provide 12-month approval in principle, which gives applicants time to find a home.

How much can you borrow?