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Great Britain's Housing Gap Hits Historic High
18 Mar
Summary
- The gap between starter homes and larger properties reached a record 52%.
- London and South East buyers face the steepest challenges trading up.
- Yorkshire and the Humber offer the most achievable property ladder.

The disparity in asking prices between smaller, first-time buyer homes and larger properties across Great Britain has widened to its highest point on record. In March, the average price for a two-bedroom or smaller home was £226,955, while a typical three- or four-bedroom "second-stepper home" averaged £345,857. This 52% gap, the largest since 2001, highlights growing challenges for homeowners aiming to upgrade.
Buyers in the South East and London experience the most significant price gaps, at 61% and 60% respectively. Conversely, Yorkshire and the Humber offer the most accessible market for trading up, with a 38% price difference, followed closely by Wales at 40%. Property experts note that building the necessary equity for such a move remains a substantial barrier for many households.