Rightmove Data Shows Mixed First-Time Buyer Asking Prices Across UK With 18% Rises in Bridlington and St Helens but 20% Fall in Exeter

Average asking prices for typical first-time buyer homes rose 18% over the past year in Bridlington, Yorkshire and the Humber, and in St Helens, North West, according to Rightmove analysis of May listings. The average asking price reached £167,321 in Bridlington and £133,106 in St Helens.

Rightmove examined properties with two bedrooms or fewer that entered the market in May and recorded at least 20 new listings and at least 20 sales agreed.

The study excluded London because higher prices there would distort national comparisons. Falkirk, Stirlingshire, recorded a 17% annual increase to an average of £118,311. Hartlepool, North East, and Dewsbury, Yorkshire and the Humber, each posted 12% gains, reaching £104,276 and £130,133 respectively.

Greenock and Inverness in Scotland each rose 11%, to £93,998 and £167,009. Great Yarmouth, East of England, and Blackburn, North West, each increased 9%, to £149,315 and £116,735. Airdrie, Scotland, rose 8% to £106,472.

All ten areas with the fastest growth had average prices below £170,000. 7% from a year earlier. St Albans, East of England, recorded the highest average at £401,352, up 2%.

Middlesbrough, North East, recorded the lowest at £90,929, down 1%. A first-time buyer could purchase four homes in Middlesbrough for the price of one in St Albans. Exeter, South West, posted the largest annual decline at 20%, to £201,248.

Derby, East Midlands, fell 10% to £143,043. Goring-by-Sea, Worthing, South East, dropped 9% to £263,906. Doncaster, Yorkshire and the Humber, and Torquay, South West, each declined 8%, to £109,477 and £172,835.