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Most "second steppers" are no longer trapped in negative equity thanks to rising house prices and an influx of first time buyers.

Many are now sitting on an equity boost of £87,000, according to new research from Lloyds Bank.

But they still face tough challenges, as they typically need to find an extra £128,390 to fund the move to their preferred second home of a detached property.

One in three second steppers think it will be easier to sell this year, however, almost treble the number in 2012.

Lloyds Bank's fifth annual Second Stepper report tracks the position of first-time sellers.

It shows conditions have significantly improved over the past five years, allowing many more to make the jump to the next step.

Second steppers are living in the homes that first-time buyers need to keep the market moving, otherwise the ladder comes to a standstill on the second rung.

Many found themselves stuck in their starter home with little or no equity as the economic downturn took hold.

The current crop of second steppers typically bought at the bottom of the market in 2009 when prices were at their lowest.

The average home is now 31% higher than in 2009, giving them an average equity level of just over £87,000.

This is equivalent to 29% of the average price of a typical second stepper home at £304,963.

The estimated average equity level has risen by over £36,000 in the past year from £50,655 due to an increase in the prices paid for first-time buyer homes.

The price paid for a home by a typical second stepper is more affordable at 6.4 times gross annual average earnings, down from 7.13 this time last year.

Andy Hulme, Lloyds Bank mortgages director, said: "Whilst challenges remain as second steppers try to bridge the gap to the next rung on the ladder, a steady rise in property values in 2015 should further ease the constraint on many and this will have a positive knock-on effect for the whole of the housing market."

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