First Time Buyer Prices Jump 18% in the Most Affordable UK Towns

First‑time buyer (FTB) house prices are rising fastest in some of the UK’s most affordable northern and Scottish markets, according to new analysis from Rightmove. While the national picture remains relatively subdued, lower‑priced towns are seeing double‑digit growth as buyers continue to prioritise affordability.

Strongest Growth in Sub‑£170,000 Markets

The sharpest increases are concentrated in areas where typical FTB homes remain below £170,000 — a price point still within reach for many buyers despite higher mortgage costs.

Top annual increases:

• Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire — £167,321 (+18%)
• St Helens, Merseyside — £133,106 (+18%)
• Falkirk, Stirlingshire — £118,311 (+17%)
• Hartlepool, North East — £104,276 (+12%)
• Dewsbury, West Yorkshire — £130,133 (+12%)

Other strong performers include Greenock, Inverness, Great Yarmouth, Blackburn and Airdrie, all recording annual growth of 8–11%.

Rightmove says these areas continue to attract intense interest from first‑time buyers seeking better value, with competition helping to support prices.

Southern Markets Cool as Affordability Bites

In contrast, several higher‑priced southern markets are seeing prices ease.
Brighton and Southampton have both recorded year‑on‑year declines in FTB asking prices.

Rightmove notes that in more expensive areas, buyers are taking longer to make decisions and are more cautious about stretching affordability, especially with mortgage rates still elevated.

National Picture: Slight Decline Overall

Across Great Britain, the average asking price for a typical first‑time buyer home (0–2 bedrooms) is now:

• £228,048
• Down 0.7% year‑on‑year

This highlights a two‑speed market:

• Affordable regions → strong demand and rising prices
• Expensive regions → slower activity and softer pricing

The Affordability Gap Remains Wide

The difference between the most and least expensive FTB markets is stark:

• Most expensive: St Albans, Hertfordshire — £401,352
• Least expensive: Middlesbrough — £90,929

This £310,000+ gap continues to shape where buyers can realistically get onto the ladder.

Expert Views

Rightmove’s property expert, Colleen Babcock, says affordability remains the defining factor:

“Lower‑cost locations are still seeing strong interest, with competition for homes helping to hold prices up.”

Our view: demand is strong in many northern England and Scottish sectors but buyers still face challenges from higher mortgage costs and rising living expenses.  There is a need for governments to prioritise housing supply and affordability to support aspiring homeowners.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

For first‑time buyers:

• Best value remains in northern England and Scotland.
• Competition is strongest in sub‑£170k markets.
• Southern buyers may find more room to negotiate.

For sellers:

• Affordable areas continue to see robust demand.
• In higher‑priced regions, realistic pricing is essential.