No-one obsesses over property quite like the British, even though buying and selling a home can be a personal headache and a financial lucky-dip.

If you think that you'll never get a first foot onto the UK property ladder, think again! This readable guide shows you how to buy your first home without having to borrow more than you can afford. Clued-up first-time buyers will understand the pros and cons of a wide range of alternative routes to home ownership, from the legal intricacies of buying with friends to part-rent part-ownership schemes. It's the biggest financial decision of your life and it's tough at today's prices, but if you're prepared to compromise a little then there are plenty of options.

Whether you are renting out part of your home, or investing in a property, this is a guide to the constantly changing market and its laws. Whether you inherited a home you now need to rent or you're aiming to become a property tycoon, this guide is your road map to success.