Eastenders or Coronation Street? Where property prices have rocketed in real life

New research reveals how famous properties featured in Coronation St, Eastenders and Emmerdale have risen in value down the years. Terry Fisher from 'www.webuyanyhome.com' analysed some of the most iconic soap properties.

From London’s East End to rural Yorkshire, he found who had hit the property jackpot. Eastenders has just celebrated 40 years on our screens; if you moved into Dot Cotton's house in 1985, you would have paid around £35,853. Now it is worth £894,430.

The increase in value is largely due to East London’s 'gentrification', with Walford, based on real-life East London boroughs, enjoying a real transformation. An influx of wealthier residents combined with improved transport links and investment for the London 2012 Olympics has seen house prices rocket.

The speed of commute to Canary Wharf and the City makes the area highly desirable for professionals.

Victorian terraces, like Dot’s home, with classic brick-built exteriors, bay windows, and high ceilings are in high demand. In the TV show, she owned her home outright, meaning any sale would be pure profit.

Emmerdale's Home Farm, the grandest property in soapland, has experienced a meteoric rise in value. Originally purchased for around £75,000 in the 1970s, the estate is now estimated to be worth £7m.

And the prices are not just sky high in Yorkshire. Home & Away's Summer Bay House, filmed in Palm Beach, Sydney, has seen significant appreciation.

Originally purchased for around A$350,000 in 1988, the property would now be worth approximately A$10m (£5m) due to its prime beachfront location and Australia’s booming property market.

Property expert Terry said: "East London has seen some of the UK’s most dramatic house price rises. If Dot Cotton were selling today, she’d be sitting on an incredible windfall."

Coronation Street remains the most affordable, with a £15,000 deposit needed for a small terrace. Buying in Emmerdale is possible but challenging, with a £20,000 deposit required for a two-bed cottage. EastEnders presents a near-impossible challenge for younger buyers, with a minimum £35,000 deposit needed for a one-bed flat.

Walford residents would likely need to move outside of London to afford homeownership. "First-time buyers are struggling more than ever, particularly in London," added Terry. Even in Northern cities, a deposit remains a significant hurdle."

Soap star buys - then and now

• Coronation Street: Sally Webster’s home
• Original Purchase Price: £19,000 (1980s estimate)
• Estimated Current Value (2024): £250,000

This significant appreciation is due to the enduring appeal of classic terraced homes with period features and gardens, which remain highly sought after. The Northern housing market has seen huge growth, with Manchester and its surrounding areas experiencing property booms in recent years. There’s also been a lot of investment in the area through regeneration projects. "The Northern property market is strong, but still more accessible than London. While Sally isn’t an original owner, it’s a very savvy investment as it’s one of the few to benefit from a garden," says Terry.

• Emmerdale: Home Farm – The Millionaire’s Mansion
• Original Purchase Price (1970s): £75,000
• Estimated Current Value (2024): £7 million

The dramatic increase would be due to the boom in country estates, with demand for rural mansions soaring in recent years. Home Farm likely includes acres of farmland and Yorkshire’s desirability has surged, with areas near the Dales and Harrogate becoming prime locations for affluent buyers. The historic charm of Home Farm, with its large period features and modern amenities, makes it incredibly desirable.

• Home & Away: Summer Bay House
• Original Purchase Price (1988): A$350,000
• Estimated Current Value (2024): A$10 million

Summer Bay House, filmed in Palm Beach, Sydney, has seen significant appreciation. Originally purchased for an estimated A$350,000 in 1988, the property would now be worth approximately A$10 million due to its prime beachfront location and Australia’s booming property market.

• Neighbours: No. 22 Ramsay Street
• Original Purchase Price (1985): A$70,000
• Estimated Current Value (2024): A$2.2 million

No. 22 Ramsay Street, set in the fictional Erinsborough but filmed in Vermont South, Melbourne, has also seen major growth. Purchased in 1985 for around A$70,000, its estimated value in 2024 is A$2.2 million, (£1.1m) thanks to Melbourne’s housing boom and strong suburban demand.