The Gold Coast’s reputation as the promised land for first home buyers is strengthening.

New statistics show the Gold Coast is the region of choice for buyers, notching up the highest regional sales in the country in 2009.

The Affordable Locations For First Home Buyers report combined Commonwealth Bank figures with RP Data research to pinpoint where first home buyers bought last year and where opportunities are now.

The Gold Coast-Tweed region recorded 1338 sales in 2009 with an average price of $313,977 — well down from Brisbane’s $336,618.

Among capitals, Hobart and Adelaide had the lowest average first home buyer prices at $295,500.

Canberra was the most expensive at $395,693 followed by Sydney ($388,167), Darwin ($374,397), Perth ($366,399) and Melbourne ($345,757).

Despite the January cut-back of the Federal Government’s First Home Buyer grant from $14,000 to $7000, experts say the Gold Coast prospects for buyers remain healthy.

REIQ Gold Coast chairman John Newlands said 2010 sales were expected to be strong but would not come close to 2009′s figures.

He said the growing northern corridor was still the biggest hotspot for first home buyers but older homes in CBD areas, including Southport, were also popular.

Research also showed it was a good time to sell, with Gold Coast homes selling at least a month faster than last year.