One factor that contributed to the massive jump in house prices at the start of this decade was the emergence of the young, single buyer. All of a sudden, the idea of somebody in their twenties becoming a homeowner was no longer an unusual notion.

Entire areas were soon treated to an influx of young professionals that would previously have been unthinkable and, as competition grew, so did prices.

And it continues to be the case, although a ramp-up in house-building in the past year or so has helped to keep price growth at more manageable levels.

The most interesting aspect of it all has been that the notion of single people buying houses on their own at a young age is now ingrained in the Irish psyche. It is so well rooted that we have begun to expect people to buy property as early as possible.

We almost ask questions when a young professional reaches 30 and has not shown any interest in the housing market, wondering what dark financial secret is stopping them from leaving their tenant days behind.

A key driver behind this commonly-held (but not necessarily justified) belief that everybody should buy as soon as they can is the enthusiasm of new entrants to the property market.

Research produced by IFG Mortgages has found that of all mortgage applications made in the first half of 2005, 61 per cent came from first-time buyers. The comparable figure in 2004 was just 48 per cent.

The research also shows that single first-time buyers are now almost equal in number to couples buying together, with the number of female single buyers growing particularly quickly.

IFG says 45 per cent of single first-time buyers over the first half were female, compared to 38 per cent in the previous year.

Perhaps as a result of this, the firm is finding that women "seem to be much more in tune with the mortgage process and seem to have done their homework".

Women will also, according to the company, shop around more than men and will usually ask three to four times' more questions of their broker.

A regional breakdown of IFG's records offers another intriguing insight into buying behaviour.

The company notes that the highest number of single female applications for mortgages came in Galway over the first six months, while the lowest number came in Navan.

North Dublin first-time buyers are meanwhile much more likely (61 per cent compared to 39 per cent) to buy with another party than on their own.

Cork had the highest proportion of first-time buyer applications, with 56 per cent.

The figures, particularly in relation to Dublin, suggest that while the single buyer is no longer unusual, it remains difficult for many to get over the line without getting help from a partner.

IFG points out however that the profile of the "partners" in question is changing.

A few years ago, according to the company, 95 per cent of all joint applications came from married couples. Now, on the other hand, joint applications from siblings and friends are much more common.

In this way, IFG believes that its headline survey figures conceal a fundamental shift in the way new buyers perceive the property market. Instead of buying with a view to finding their dream home, it seems getting a foot on the first rung of the ladder, by hook or by crook, is of premium importance.