A WOMAN hoping to move back to her hometown says she is struggling to find a property due to high demand.

Amanda Every moved to Bolton in 2008 but now wants to move back to Darwen.

However, the 49-year-old says it is proving difficult and claims many homes are being sold to investors looking to rent them out.

But estate agents say the biggest competition for houses is coming from first-time buyers who have been able to save money in lockdown and can take advantage of five per cent mortgage deposits now on offer.

Mrs Every said: “I was horrified by the number of houses being sold to people looking to buy to let, which are not for small families and first-time buyers.

“Darwen is on the main railway line to Manchester, so houses are taken by people who are not living here and just want to make a quick buck.

“When I lived in Darwen, there was a good sense of local community spirit and a lot of people knew each other.”

Mrs Every is worried the Darwen community will be lost if there are not enough homes available for first-time buyers and families already living in the area.

She said: “I still want to buy a house in Darwen, but the houses are flying off the shelves.

“The homeowners themselves tell me they are being offered more money by the investors.

“Then £500 to £550 a month for rent is not going to enable first-time buyers to save up enough money to buy their own house if they are not in high-paying jobs.”

Elliot Stockwell at Hunters Estate Agency in Darwen said both the rental and sales market were incredibly active.

Mr Stockwell said: “Lockdown has allowed first-time buyers to save up for a deposit, lenders are also now offering five per cent deposit mortgages.

“More first-time buyers equals more demand and less stock.

“No property would be categorised as a ‘buy to let’ property unless it’s being sold with a tenant in situ. The amount of properties being sold with a sitting tenant would be less than five per cent.”

On how first-time buyers or families can ensure they do not keep missing out to investors, Mr Stockwell said: “In my experience, the biggest competition to first-time buyers are other first-time buyers, many of which are currently willing to pay over asking price, which investors wouldn’t.

“Best advice, get on several agents mailing lists, get Rightmove alerts set up and try to be one of the first people to call. Also be fully prepared and prompt when providing proof of funding and supporting IDs so that agents are comfortable that you won’t delay any prospective purchase.”

Paul Ainsworth Lord, owner of Ainsworth Lord Estates in Darwen, agreed.

He said: “Sometimes the difference is that an investor will have done all their research and be more ready than perhaps a first-time buyer who may not be as prepared.

“The best thing to do is to be more known to your agents, be friendly so they can let you know of the listings first.”