Swindon is first-time buyer hotspot (From Swindon Advertiser)

Swindon is first-time buyer hotspot

9:12am Thursday 26th April 2012 in News By Scott McPherson

SWINDON has been named as being in the top three places in the UK for first-time buyers.

It was pipped to the top spot by Milton Keynes and Dartford in Kent came in second place in the survey compiled by online service Experian PropertyCheck.

Areas surrounding London dominated the top 10 list. House prices in London have remained relatively high, boosted by demand from overseas buyers, while the market in other areas of the UK has tended to be more patchy.

Swindon has also seen its population increase, by more than 11,600 people since 2007, and has a similar proportion of young people.

The first-time buyer share of the housing market fell back to a three-year low last autumn but has shown a small recovery in recent months.

But estate agents fear that the recent ending of a two-year stamp duty concession for first-time buyers could disrupt the market further.

Peter Turner, Experian Interactive managing director said: "In spite of difficulties across the country in getting that first foot on the property ladder, online indicators suggest the market is improving for first-time buyers."

He said recent research had shown that internet searches for "first time buyer mortgage" were up eight fold year-on-year and those for "95% mortgages for first time buyers" had more than doubled.

Here are the top 10 first-time buyer hotspots and the percentage of households they make up in the towns: 1. Milton Keynes, 9.5% 2. Dartford, 9.3% 3. Swindon, 8.9% 4. Aldershot, 8.6% 5. Hempstead Valley, 8.2% 6. Basingstoke, 8.1% =7. Crawley, 7.8% =7. Slough, 7.8% 9. Bexleyheath, 7.6% 10. Aylesbury, 6.9%