BOTH the most and least expensive places to live by the seaside in Britain have been revealed.
Owning a slice of paradise just moments from the sea is a dream for many home hunters.
And you could make your fantasy a reality with average house prices in some coastal spots coming with an average price tag of just over £100,000.
All ten of the least expensive coastal locations are in Scotland, according to analysis from Lloyds Bank.
Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute, take the top spit where homes cost £101,477 on average – a price that has dropped by a third since 2022.
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And Greenock in Inverclyde takes second spot with average values of £107,111.
Girvan in South Ayrshire is in third place with prices at a typical £107,349.
On the other hand, the more expensive places to call home by the sea can be found the further south you head.
Salcombe in Devon is the most expensive place in Britain to buy a home by the coast
Properties in the town, which boasts stunning views across the Kingsbridge estuary, cost a whopping £970,657 on average.
In second place is Sandbanks, which is home to celebrity residents including Harry Redknapp.
Average prices in the town are £957,739.
Padstow in Cornwall takes the third spot. The town has been popularised by celebrity chef Rick Stein and homes cost an average £701,979.
Lyme Regis, Dorset and St Ives, Cornwall have also entered the top 10 of most expensive coastal locations, with average property prices of over £500,000 in both areas.
Overall, the average coastal home is now £293,710, 4% lower than in 2022 but almost double the price ten years ago.
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Coastal properties in Margate in the South East and Amlwch in Wales have more than doubled in the last decade to £309,049 and £255,189 respectively.
Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Lloyds Bank said: “Sea views, sandy beaches, brisk morning dips – it’s easy to see why coastal living is so desirable.
“Our data shows the most sought-after coastal locations in the country can attract average price tags of close to a million pounds – with in demand properties often going for much more.
“These pricier areas can result in a lack of affordable homes for first-time buyers, a problem often exacerbated by high levels of second home ownership, meaning that many who have grown up in the area may find themselves priced out of owning their own home locally.”
How to buy your first home
Getting on the property ladder at all can seem like a daunting task but there are schemes out there to help first-time buyers have their own home.
Lifetime ISA - This is a Government scheme that gives anyone aged 18 to 39 the chance to save tax-free and get a bonus of up to £32,000 towards their first home.
You can save up to £4,000 a year and the Government will add 25% on top.
Shared ownership - Co-owning with a housing association means you can buy a part of the property and pay rent on the remaining amount.
You can buy anything from 25% to 75% of the property but you're restricted to specific ones.
Mortgage guarantee scheme - Available for first-time buyers and those who've owned a property before who have a minimum 5% deposit.
It can be used to buy any type of home so long as you don't pay more than £600,000 for it.
By providing a guarantee that the government will cover some of a lender's losses if a borrower can't afford to repay their mortgage and the home is repossessed - more lenders are prepared to lend up to 95%.
