But Yopa warns of negative house price growth
Scotland’s East Ayrshire is the most affordable location in the UK for first‑time buyers, according to new research from Lloyds, which shows towns in Scotland and the North of England dominate the top ten for affordable house prices.
It comes as new research by Yopa suggests negative average monthly house price growth across Britain of -0.22%, only the second time it has slipped into negative growth in a decade, after house prices fell by an average of -0.23% per month in 2023.
The Yopa figures show Scotland recorded an average monthly decline of -0.45%.
In East Ayrshire, the average first-time buyer price is £147,353, according to the Lloyds research, which looked at what first-time buyers were paying for properties in local areas across the country.
In Wales the most affordable location was Merthyr Tydfil, where homes cost an average of £156,498 while in Northern Ireland it’s Mid and East Antrim, with an average first home price of £175,308. Yopa’s research suggest Wales prices fell -0.75% per month on average.
North-west tops England
In England, prices fell the least, down by an average of -0.16% per month according to Yopa. Blackpool in the north west tops the cheapest first-time buyers’ location list with an average of £150,780, the Lloyds analysis shows.
The Lloyds research also shows the average first-time buyer age in the UK is 32, two years older than a decade ago but unchanged over the past year. However, it’s as low as 27 in some areas.
Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Lloyds, said: “Our research shows there are still genuine pockets of value for first‑time buyers, particularly for those with an open mind who are willing to be flexible on location and property type.
“With ongoing cost of living pressures and wider economic uncertainty, it’s completely understandable that some people are feeling cautious. But there are opportunities out there, and for many buyers, that flexibility can make a real difference.
It comes as Rightmove figures, also out today, but which show a positive monthly price rise, suggest a continued north-south divide of prices.
Top 10 most affordable UK areas for first-time buyers
| Local area | Region | Average FTB price | Monthly mortgage cost* |
| East Ayrshire | Scotland | £147,353 | £843 |
| Inverclyde | Scotland | £149,929 | £859 |
| Blackpool | North West | £150,780 | £864 |
| Kingston upon Hull | Yorkshire and The Humber | £151,171 | £866 |
| Na h-Eileanan Siar | Scotland | £155,300 | £891 |
| Hyndburn | North West | £155,911 | £894 |
| Clackmannanshire | Scotland | £156,041 | £894 |
| Merthyr Tydfil | Wales | £156,498 | £898 |
| South Tyneside | North East | £157,551 | £904 |
| West Dunbartonshire | Scotland | £159,437 | £915 |
Top 10 most affordable areas for first-time buyers in each UK region
| Region | Local area | Average FTB price |
| East Midlands | Bolsover | £191,564 |
| East of England | Great Yarmouth | £236,447 |
| London | Barking and Dagenham | £363,748 |
| North East | South Tyneside | £157,551 |
| North West | Blackpool | £150,780 |
| Northern Ireland | Mid and East Antrim | £175,308 |
| Scotland | East Ayrshire | £147,353 |
| South East | Gosport | £228,617 |
| South West | Plymouth | £216,166 |
| Wales | Merthyr Tydfil | £156,498 |
| West Midlands | Stoke-on-Trent | £171,569 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | Kingston upon Hull | £151,171 |
