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The next 12 to 18 months could well be the best time for people to invest in a property.

Such is the assertion of one property expert, who claims that the value of homes is set to go up at rates ahead of inflation.

Indeed, Simon Preston, chairman of iammoving.com, states that in two years' time the property market will have bounced back, although recovery will start in 2009.

Taking out a loan to cover the cost of home improvements could be a wise move for Britons who wish to sell their property and want to boost its value.

According to Mr Preston, prices will rise because "there are a lot of people who have not been moving, there are lot of new houses that won't be built and therefore there is a lot of repressed demand".

Meanwhile, the November 2008 Rightmove House Price Index revealed that the average asking price for a property stood at £222,979, a 2.9 per cent drop compared to October.

However, people considering secured loans in order to pay for home improvements may wish to know that such a loan could be secured against a current property should payments be missed.