Stirling is top of the table in the UK for first-time buyers

Latest research from Halifax shows that eight of the 10 most affordable local authority districts for new homeowners are in Scotland.

Not surprisingly, the 10 least affordable areas are all in London.

Stirling came joint top of the list for affordability with Pendle in north-west England, both scoring a house price to average earnings ratio of 3.0.

The typical price of a home in Stirling, according to Halifax, is £143,148.

The other Scottish entries in the most affordable list are: Inverclyde (3.1); West Dunbartonshire (3.1);  North Ayrshire (3.1); East Ayrshire (3.2); South Ayrshire (3.3); Renfrewshire (3.4); and North Lanarkshire (3.4).

The least affordable district for first-time buyers in the UK is Brent in London, where the average price is £478,995. Brent scores a house price to average earnings ratio of 12.7.

Stephen Simpson, branch manager of the Stirling office at Aberdein Considine, said, "This is excellent news for the local market. The average house price in Stirling is £143,000 providing first-time buyers with a huge choice of properties to choose from depending on their lifestyles, with everything from immaculate city centre flats to ex local authority two and three bedroom homes.

"It is therefore highly important that any first-time buyers should seek financial advice in order to make the correct decisions."

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