Slough has been ranked the most affordable area in Berkshire for first-time buyers, according to recent data.

Buying your first home can be a daunting challenge at any age. From the mortgage deposit to the additional moving costs it is thought to take up to 87 months for a single homeowner to save up for their first home.

Due to the proximity to the capital and the surrounding countryside, Berkshire is considered one of the UK’s most expensive counties outside London.

Which? Has put together figures to assist first-time homebuyers when deciding where to jump on the first rung of the property ladder.

Although Slough’s reputation doesn’t always put it in the most attractive light, its proximity to London makes it the perfect location for a first home for any single person working in the capital.

With an average house price of £284,206, a five percent deposit would cost £14,240 and a ten percent would cost £28,481.

On top of this, buyers would also be expected to pay for moving costs, house survey and conveyancing.

For any first-time buyer looking for a bigger house with more surrounding countryside, Bracknell Forest might be the perfect place to start out.

With the average house price sitting just slightly higher than Slough at £296,747, residents can benefit from nearby country parks and the ever-improving town centre facilities.

Although 10 percent is the average deposit to put down on a property, some banks will also let first-time buyers pay a five percent deposit.

A ten percent deposit in Bracknell Forest would be £29,675 and a fiver percent is £14,837.

The two areas that are the most expensive for first-time buyers in Berkshire are West Berkshire and Windsor and Maidenhead.

For an average house in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, buyers would be expected to put up at least £21,549 for five percent of the average house price which is £430,975.

Sam Richardson, Deputy Editor of Which? Money, said: “When it comes to buying your first home, knowing the deposit needed for the average property in your area is a vital first step in understanding how much you need to save.

"Once you know it, you can create a budget and start putting money away if you haven't yet got enough. 

"The Lifetime ISA can be a great account to save into. Your savings are tax-free, and you could also get a government bonus of 25% on your savings to help you buy your first property.

"Keep in mind the deposit isn't the only hurdle you'll face to get a mortgage. Talking to an independent mortgage broker can help you understand exactly how much you can borrow."

Below are the average house prices and deposits for first-time buyers hoping to get on the property ladder in Berkshire.

West Berkshire

House price: £306,234

5% deposit - £15,312

10% - £30,623

 

Reading

House Price: £292,491

5% deposit - £14,625

10% - £29,249

 

 

Bracknell Forest

House price - £296,747

5% deposit - £14,837

10% deposit - £29,675

 

Windsor and Maidenhead

House Price - £430,975

5% deposit – £21,549

10% deposit - £43,098

 

Slough

House price - £284, 806

5% deposit - £14, 240

10% deposit - £28,481