This is what a first time buyer budget can buy around the UK – from a houseboat in Brighton to a three-bed house in Swansea
GETTING a foot on the property ladder is no mean feat, especially when it comes to scraping the funds together for a mortgage deposit.
But sometimes, it can be the location that is standing between you and owning your own home.
Remember the London lad, Ethan Bragginton who had to managed to buy a house with his girlfriend Aimee by the time he was 18? But he had to move away from the city to be able to afford it.
And with house prices in the North averaging at £128,500 compared to a whopping £474,000 in London, it's a wonder we're not all bundling our stuff in a bag and moving there.
Of course, it's not that simple. But we - along with help from - compared what type of home you might be able to buy if you were prepared to go anywhere in the country.
The average first-time buyer budget is £120,000 based on the maximum mortgage of 4.5 times of the average salary.
It's got off-road parking, close to the shops and on the market for £199,950.
The downside is that it's an area with only standard broadband.
Two-bed houseboat, Brighton
Fancy life on the water? Well, it doesn't have to be a boring barge boat - as this proves.
It's moored in Brighton Marina and has an unrestricted living permit for 320 days a year, which means you'll have to move it for the remaining 35 days.
It's £30,000 under budget but you'll need to get used to the tiny bedrooms and small kitchen space.
But if it doesn't bother you, then the underfloor heating might just be what it takes to twist your arm.
Shared ownership on a one-bed flat, London
Most of the homes in London around the £120,000 mark are only affordable on shared ownership.
That means, every month you'll be paying £601 towards the mortgage and £825 on rent.
The apartment may have great transport links, but it's much smaller that what you can afford in somewhere like Swansea.
Two-bed semi-detached house, West Yorkshire
It also has off-street parking and is on the market for £120,000.
It's double glazed and in an area that has super-fast broadband, as well as easy access to the M62 and M1.
Compared to what you can afford in London, this is practically a mansion. Plus, there are stunning countryside views.
But there aren't many photos of this house, which could mean that it needs some work doing to it.
It's pretty, with it's own garden and allocated parking at the front - more than what you'd get in London.
This one is in a cul de sec and has one living room and one bathroom.
Three-bed semi-detached bungalow, Newcastle
Most of the bugalow has had a make over but the garden needs a bit of love. The extra work will add on to the cost of buying a house but they're only superficial things and if you can wait until you have the funds to do it up then it's a great project.
Sellers describe the house as "in need of modernisation" but from the pictures it looks like it needs a lot of work.
But if you've got the funds and are prepared to put the work it in then you could turn this into your own small slice of Poldark land.
On average, first time buyers will need to fork out nearly £50,000 for a deposit on a mortgage if they want to own their first home.
And it's getting harder to save for, while rent rates continue to creep upwards - especially in London where on average renters are forking out £2,550 a month.
But some of our readers have proved that it is possible if you're prepared to make a few sacrifices.
One young couple lived on a diet of beans and noodles while they saved to buy their first home for £220,000 all before they turned 21.
The Post Office is also offering a 0 per cent deposit mortgage deal for first time buyers - but you'll need to put your parents house down as a safety net.
Yorkshire Building Society is also offering first-time buyers £1,000 cashback on four of their deals.
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