By Charlotte Beugge

First-time buyers who want to avoid paying stamp duty on their home purchases need to get a move on - as there are only two months to go until the end of the stamp duty holiday.

Since March 25 2010, there has been no stamp duty payable on first-time buyer purchases worth up to £250,000. This comes to an end on 24 March and after this, first-time buyers will have to pay 1% stamp duty on home purchases between £125,000 and £250,000 and 3% on homes costing more than £250,000. These are the current rates and bands paid by non-first time buyers.

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) is warning first-timers that they need to act quickly if they want to get in before the deadline.

Wendy Evans Scott, president of the NAEA advises first-time purchasers: "If you're currently in a chain and waiting to complete your purchase then make sure that others in the chain know about the end of the tax holiday too.

"Good communication with your solicitor can help move the process forward, helping you beat the 24 March cut-off."

NAEA figures show that sales to first-time buyers rose from 19% to 21% from November to December, although that is still a low level historically. To get in by the 24 March deadline, you have to have completed your purchase by that date.