Sellers looking to move to a new home could benefit from the housing market downturn, it has been suggested.

According to the Halifax, house prices fell for the third month in a row in November, supporting the predictions of a market slowdown from other experts but Stephen Ludlow, director of property agent Ludlowthompson, reminded sellers that "every market presents an opportunity" and argued that some people could stand to benefit from the situation.

"They might be able to buy something further up the property ladder at a greater discount than they''re selling theirs at," he explained, adding that "this could well be an opportunity you want to grasp".

"Be realistic on pricing, that''s the important message," he said.

Mr Ludlow commented that some homeowners may seize the opportunity to enter the buy-to-let market, saying: "People will decide to let out their current property, and buy another property while prices are down.

"Then as the market recovers they''ll then sell their first property."

Despite these opportunities, he warned that those who need to sell their home quickly are "going to have to put a discount" onto their home in order to make a quick sale.