Buying your very first home is a daunting step for anybody and no doubt there will be much painstaking research into how much money is needed.
But now new data has revealed exactly the kind of salary that people should be on before getting on the property ladder in the North East.
According to property website Zoopla, the average cost of a home bought by a first time buyer in the country is £220,000.
Figures for the North East show that the median price in the region doesn't come near that average with prices ranging from £125,000 to £66,000.
Newcastle was the second-highest median price at £120,000, behind Darlington on £125,000, while Hartlepool had the lowest with £66,000.
To help potential first time buyers, Zoopla has presented research showing the LTI (loan to income) needed to get your foot on that ladder.
Newcastle
Household income needed: £22,500
Median price for first time buyers: £120,000
Most popular property type: 2-bed flat
Gateshead
Household income needed: £20,000
Median price for first time buyers: £105,000
Most popular property type: 2-bed flat
North Tyneside
Household income needed: £22,000
Median price for first time buyers: £117,000
Most popular property type: 3-bed semi
Darlington
Household income needed: £23,500
Median price for first time buyers: £125,000
Most popular property type: 3-bed semi
Sunderland
Household income needed: £15,000
Median price for first time buyers: £80,000
Most popular property type: 3-bed terraced
Stockton-on-Tees
Household income needed: £19,000
Median price for first time buyers: £100,000
Most popular property type: 3-bed semi
South Tyneside
Household income needed: £19,000
Median price for first time buyers: £100,000
Most popular property type: 3-bed semi
Northumberland
Household income needed: £21,000
Median price for first time buyers: £110,000
Most popular property type: 3-bed semi
Middlesbrough
Household income needed: £15,000
Median price for first time buyers: £80,000
Most popular property type: 3-bed terraced
County Durham
Household income needed: £15,000
Median price for first time buyers: £80,000
Most popular property type: 2-bed terraced
Hartlepool
Household income needed: £12,500
Median price for first time buyers: £66,000
Most popular property type: 2-bed terraced
Redcar and Cleveland
Household income needed: £14,000
Median price for first time buyers: £75,000
Most popular property type: 3-bed terraced
