Launch of Kent Property Market Report at Northdown 2, Eureka Park, Ashford

Kent faces an east-west divide when it comes to house prices.

In the first six months of this year the east of the county saw a 2% drop in the value of bricks and mortar - with the west seeing a flatline in prices.

That's according to a major report, out today, which takes a wide-reaching view of the county's property situation - both residential and commercial.

But there is also a split between the type of properties that do well in Kent, with sought-after period country houses being snapped up more quickly.

And if you live in a family home in the county you are sitting pretty, according to the Kent Property Market Report, unveiled in Ashford.

The value of flats, particularly in coastal areas of high unemployment such as Thanet and Dover, continue to fall.

But those set to benefit the most are buyers - with supply outstripping demand throughout this year.

The report says: "As a result, prospective purchasers are becoming more selective, which is likely to place downward pressure on prices for all but the highest calibre properties."

But it's not all good news for buyers - with first-timers now needing a "substantial" deposit, and those already on the property ladder often suffering from negative equity.

At the bottom end of the market, affordable housing is unlikely to be viable, the report says, after grant aid was withdrawn earlier this year.

That means local authority housing quotas will not be met in many areas.

As a homes and commercial destination, Kent looks positive.

Despite drugs giant Pfizer pulling out of Sandwich next year, the newly-named Discovery Park on the same site has won enterprise zone status and could create around 1,000 jobs by the end of 2012.

The opening of the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury and Turner Contemporary in Margate were both positive signs.

Alison Owen, a partner with Cluttons, the Maidstone-based property experts that helped produce the report, added: “There is no doubt in our mind that Kent remains an attractive location to both investors and developers.”