Some of Britain’s most affordable housing markets are seeing the strongest first-time buyer demand, with asking prices rising by as much as 18% over the past year, according to new analysis from Rightmove.
The property portal found that Bridlington in East Riding of Yorkshire and St Helens in Merseyside are currently the UK’s fastest-growing first-time buyer hotspots, with average asking prices climbing by 18% year-on-year to £167,321 and £133,106 respectively.
Falkirk in Scotland followed closely behind with annual growth of 17%, while Hartlepool and Dewsbury both recorded increases of 12%.
The figures suggest affordability remains the key driver of first-time buyer activity, with all of the strongest-performing locations offering average prices below £170,000.
AFFORDABILITY CONSTRAINTS
Several higher-priced markets in southern England are seeing values soften as affordability constraints continue to bite. Exeter recorded the largest annual fall in asking prices for first-time buyer homes, down 20.5%, while Derby, Southampton, Poole and Hove also saw notable declines.
Across Great Britain, the average asking price of a typical first-time buyer property now stands at £228,048, which is 0.7% lower than a year ago.
The research highlights the widening divide between lower-cost regional markets and more expensive southern locations, where higher borrowing costs and increased housing supply are giving buyers greater negotiating power.
First-time buyers are increasingly prioritising affordability over location.
The findings suggest first-time buyers are increasingly prioritising affordability over location, with many seeking value in northern England, Scotland and other lower-cost regions where deposits and monthly mortgage repayments remain more manageable.
At the opposite end of the market, St Albans remains Britain’s most expensive first-time buyer hotspot outside London, with an average asking price of £401,352. Epsom, Oxford, Cambridge and Bath also feature among the priciest locations for those taking their first step onto the housing ladder.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough remains the most affordable place for a first-time buyer purchase, with an average asking price of just £90,929, followed by Grimsby (£92,031), Kilmarnock (£92,380) and Greenock (£93,998).
STRONGEST PRICE GROWTH
Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, said: “Affordability continues to shape where first-time buyers are looking, and we’re seeing the strongest price growth in areas where homes remain within reach for more people. Lower-cost locations are still seeing strong interest, with competition for homes helping to hold prices up.”
She added that buyers in more expensive markets are taking longer to make decisions and being more selective about what they can afford, helping to keep price growth subdued.
