Following the end of stamp duty relief in England and Northern Ireland, those looking to purchase their new home will be required to pay 5% on properties costing between £300,000 - £500,000, with no relief over £500,000 for first-time buyers.
According to Rightmove, a typical first-time buyer will be paying £940 for their mortgage, compared with £590 per month back in 2020.
With these financial obstacles in mind, we have detailed the cheapest areas that may appeal to first-time buyers who are keen to get onto the property ladder.
| Area | Average asking price for a first-time home buyer |
| Kilmarnock, Ayrshire | £84,325 |
| Greenock, Inverclyde | £88,862 |
| Grimsby, Lincolnshire | £93,427 |
| Blackpool, Lancashire | £93,711 |
| Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire | £95,473 |
| Hartlepool, Tees Valley | £99,570 |
| Paisley, Renfrewshire | £99,570 |
| East Kilbride | £100,814 |
| Ayr, Ayrshire | £101,391 |
| Burnley, Lancashire | £102,848 |
To find out how much your monthly payments will cost you, take a look at our mortgage calculator.
From 18th May 2026, Lloyds Banking Group is launching a ‘£5k Deposit mortgage’ to help first-time buyers get onto the property ladder sooner.
Homeowners could be faced with paying over £3,000 more per year on their mortgage if the conflict in the Middle East continues, following new analysis from INTEREST from Moneyfacts.
7 days ago
Here are the lowest fixed mortgage rates of the week, available to first-time buyers, home movers, buy-to-let, and those remortgaging.
Call us for more information: 01628 507477 or email: team@mortgagerequired.com.
15 days ago
The Renter’s Rights Bill became law at the end of October, which means it has been signed off by the King, and it is now the Renters’ Rights Act. Despite this becoming law, these changes are likely to start changing within the next six months, with the aim of being fully implemented throughout 2026 and into 2027.
15 days ago
Mortgage lenders are starting to recognise their “Green” responsibilities when it comes to the different products they offer.
19 days ago
Recent data from Rightmove shows the most expensive streets in Great Britain, with the majority being situated in the capital.
The Bank of England Governor, Andrew Bailey, has advised that, due to the “very big energy shock” the economy is facing, they won’t be in a rush to increase UK interest rates.
Many homeowners don’t realise that a simple act or oversight could invalidate their home insurance policy. Home insurance is essential in protecting your most valuable assets; however, it is important to understand what affects your cover to ensure you are fully protected.