The Bath Chronicle is delighted this week to launch a new campaign to boost our local property market and help keep it strong and buoyant in the year 2012.

Although the Bath market has remained resilient in the past few years, we are determined not to be complacent and our aim is to try to encourage more potential homebuyers to get on to the property ladder and ensure that the city remains a lively and active one for sellers and buyers alike.

The aim of our getmoving campaign is not only to salute the strengths of the current property market and the wide variety of the homes available within it, but to encourage everyone at every level – from those making their first tentative step on the ladder to people looking to downsize their existing property – that the market here is very strong, and if you have the commitment and the finances then this is as good a time to move as ever.

We also believe this is an important initiative because the housing market doesn't just benefit those who sell and buy houses – it is a massive boost to the local economy as well. As and when people move they tend to invest in new furniture and carpets and also employ local tradespeople to decorate or renovate their new properties. A thriving housing market therefore helps so many people and provides a multitude of jobs and that is one of the reasons why we hope the getmoving campaign will stimulate interest and tempt even more people to think about moving in 2012.

We also think this is exactly the right time to truly make a positive stance about home buying. There are many people in the national press particularly who have tried to make people nervous about the state of the property market and to spread the theory that even if you do want a home then there may not be mortgages available to finance it. The reality is, however, that after a difficult couple of years following the last downturn, lenders are now getting more ambitious in their lending and not only are there mortgages available but a more generous loan to value percentage is available now than it has been for some time.

The fact remains that the bigger the deposit the greater the chance of securing the mortgage but even for those of more modest means there are now lenders willing to sit down and talk about ways they can help you consider your next step on the housing ladder.

The lifeblood of any housing market is of course the first-time buyer and in the Bath area we know that it is difficult for many people to get that first step. However, this is something the Government is attempting to address and initiatives such as the FirstBuy scheme which runs until March are ones that show that there is a general understanding that in order for the country to 'get moving' we need first- time buyers to do so initially as well. We will hopefully be reflecting on this group's experiences during the course of our campaign.

We know that securing a place on the housing ladder isn't possible for everyone but what we hope the getmoving campaign will do is show that there is confidence in the local market, there are a whole range of local estate agents who are ready, willing and able to help you achieve your dreams of a new home and there are mortgages available at different rates and different terms for those willing to seek them out.

And, crucially, we want your input into our campaign as well. We will be seeking the support of those local estate agents to talk about the market and their experiences but we also want to hear your stories as well about how you came to get on to the housing ladder and any advice that you could give to others who may be hoping to tread a similar path.

So join us in our campaign – which is also being run with our sister papers the Somerset Standard and the Somerset Guardian – and this could be the year you finally do get moving.