The housing minister, Grant Shapps, has a message to all the residents of the UK. He suggests not using your dwelling as a tool for retirement. He also mirrored the view of many housing sector analysts in remarking, the property boom could be over for good. As the country continues to roll up its sleeves every day and battle through recovery, the government, led by Shapps, is trying to improve the functionality of the housing market.

Shapps’ goal is to see house prices rise by 2% while earnings rise by 4%. This, he believes would be how a normal market should function. There could also be a more balanced market day-to-day.

The government is also making an effort to alleviate demand by encouraging developers to build more homes. This should make it possible for more first-time buyers to reach the first wrung on the property ladder.

Shapps believes the market is challenging, in the least, for young people to even think about purchasing property. He referred to the current situation as "horrendous" for first-time buyers. The thought that on average, a first-time buyer is 36 years old is troubling to Shapps.

He commented on what he believes the solution is, saying: "The main thing everyone requires for their subsistence is a roof over their head and when that basic human need becomes too expensive for average citizens to afford, something is out of kilter.

"I think the answer is house-price stability. We had this crazy period from 1997 to 2007 when house prices almost tripled, which is fine if you had a house."

His message regarding properties used as a retirement tool will surely be troubling to some. Many middle-class families have seen their pensions virtually vanish through harsh economic times.