The best and worst neighbourhoods in Scotland for first home buyers have been revealed.
Research from Santander UK has revealed the top rising neighbourhoods that first-time buyers are choosing to purchase in across the UK.
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Using data from the last 10 years, Santander has analysed which neighbourhoods have seen the largest increase in the number of first-time purchases over that time – and which have had the biggest drops.
It comes as moving further away from family and friends to get onto the property ladder becomes more common.
Waverley in the South East and Waltham Forest in Greater London led the way for the greatest increase in first-time buyer sales, while East Lothian featured among the neighbourhoods with the highest increase.
The Scots district jumped five spots from 23rd most-popular in 2013 to 18th in 2023. The jump was the fifth-equal highest rise over the 10-year period.
And while Waverley and Waltham Forest are more popular, house prices in East Lothian are considerably more affordable.
According to Santander, the average house price in the region is £213,111, less than half the average price of properties in Waltham Forest.
It wasn’t all great news for Scotland however, as East Dunbartonshire was among the biggest fallers nationwide for first-time purchases.
The area just north of Glasgow fell from 19th in 2013 to 25th in 2023, the sixth biggest fall of any neighbourhood in all of the UK over that time.
The fall could have links to the average house price in the area, £235,813, over £20,000 more than East Lothian.
Elmbridge in the South East fell by 19 places, while Teignbridge, Tower Hamlets and Lincoln all fell out of the top 10.
Santander’s data showed London had become the least popular area with first-time buyers in the last 10 years, with purchases dropping a whopping 80% over that time.
Graham Sellar, Head of Mortgage Development at Santander, commented: “Our latest data shows that first-time buyers are increasingly looking to purchase in neighbourhoods where they previously might not have considered – or even heard of.
“Those neighbourhoods which have seen the largest drop in FTB purchases, such as Teignbridge, also tell a story, as it becomes clear that location has become the number one compromise for many looking for their first home.
“As first-time buyers explore these alternative neighbourhoods, we want to reassure our customers that Santander are here to support them achieve the exciting milestone of purchasing their first home, wherever it may be.”
