AN Englishman’s home is his castle.

It’s an old saying, but still a true one, if young people in Dorset are to be believed.

Home buyers in the county are apparently bucking the trend when it comes to purchasing properties, and still have their hearts set on owning their own abode – despite a new survey claiming we are set to become a nation of renters.

Estate agents in Bournemouth say people are simply biding their time.

Buyers in the south are apparently not even put off by the fact that prices in seaside towns have more than doubled in the last decade, according to high street bank Halifax, with Sandbanks topping the most expensive UK locations list and Lymington coming in at number five.

Some 77 per cent of people questioned by Halifax who have not yet got onto the property ladder said they still aspired to buy their own homes, but 64 per cent said they thought they had no prospect of ever doing so.

But, according to Ray Powis, of Powis Real Estate Agents in Boscombe East, the desire to own a home is here to stay.

“I think we are a nation that wants to be homeowners,” he said.

“There are lots of people that want to get into the housing market, the only thing that stops people is loan to value, big deposits, and that will change.

“There will be banks coming in offering good deals and the market will take off, there’s no doubt about it.”

He added a huge number of people still wanted to move and, as soon as things changed and they were able to get a deposit together, they would do just that.

“I don’t think we will be a nation of renters because even if people rent, there will still be a housing market because people buy to let.

“There’s still a huge amount of desire for people to be homeowners and that’s not going to change.”

Powis mortgage advisor James Youlten, added that buying a home remained a good investment.

“It’s a very tough market but I think it’s still a trusted investment, bricks and mortar in the UK,” he said.

“The activity in the market actually suggests that people are still aspiring to become homeowners. While it’s difficult, renting might be an option short-term, people are still looking to own their own property long-term.

“There’s the old adage, your home is your castle and I think most people still want a home that they can show off to their friends and family, to show what they’ve worked hard for.

“That’s what we are seeing in Boscombe East, it’s an area where people hope to spend 30 to 40 years.”

Steve Isaacs, director of Moordown-based Baileys estate agents, agreed there was still hope for those dreaming of eventually buying their own place.

“It’s tough out there generally,” he conceded.

“But the mortgage brokers we speak to are saying there’s a very slow reduction in the amount of deposit required and a very slow increase in the number of products coming to the marketplace with a slightly lower loan to value required.

“The average deposit required has dropped by two to three per cent in the last 12 months or so. It’s going to be a long, drawn-out recovery, but I think it will be a recovery.”

He added potential buyers were not changing their goals, just their timescale.

“People have got used to having what they want as soon as they want it,” he explained.

“Now they have to save a bit before they get it. But a lot of parents are helping too. There is still a bit of hope.”