House prices in Meath are predicted to rise by 1.8% in 2017 as the lack of supply of suitable new homes continues to dominate the market, estate agents have predicted.
A survey carried out by the Real Estate Alliance Group has shown agents expect prices in the county to continue to rise – but at a slower rate – after the 6.4% growth experienced in 2016.
The outlook for the commuter areas surrounding the capital is quite cautious, with counties around Dublin predicting a rise of 3.8% on average and many agents fearing that the market has hit its height under the current financial regime.
This comes as the REA Average House Price Survey revealed that prices in Meath had increased by €12,500 over the past year – with the average three-bed semi now costing €207,500.
Navan saw prices grow by 8% to €185,000 in 2016, Kells rose by 10% to €165,000, Trim increased by 8.3% to €195,000 and Ashbourne was up 1.8% from €280,000 to €285,000.
“The Central Bank rules easing off will have a positive effect on the market. It seems to be easier to get a mortgage but the loan approval lifespan is too short for many buyers,” said Michael Gavigan from REA T&J Gavigan in Navan.
The survey found that agents expect prices nationally to rise by 6.1% over the next year – with Dublin predicted to grow by 6.8% over the next 12 months.
Agents in the three main cities outside Dublin are optimistic about 2017, with rises of 10% predicted in Limerick and Galway, with Cork looking at a more modest 5% increase with agents in the latter two areas highlighting a lack of new developments planned for the cities.
The average semi-detached house nationally now costs €202,926, the Q4 REA Average House Price Survey has found – a rise of 1.4% on the Q3 figure of €200,148.
The biggest percentage increases over the past year came in the country’s smaller rural towns situated outside of Dublin, the commuter belt and the major cities.
Prices here rose by an average of 12.3% over the year, with a three-bed semi now costing €134,290 – an increase of 2.4% in the past three months.
“The announcement of the easing of the Central Bank restrictions has given the market great short-term hope, but the real problem in the property lies in supply,” said REA chairman Eamonn Spratt.
“We are bringing people into the market, but we have no long-term plan to provide the suitable housing that they need around the country.
“The fact remains that builders will not create developments unless those properties can be sold for more than €200,000.
“Until that point, unless there is state intervention on supply financing, we will not see sustainable building in areas where the average is below that point.
“It is this realisation that is causing price inflation in towns around the country, with the highest rises of all – an average of 7.4% – being predicted for the sector outside of Dublin, the commuter areas and the major cities.”
Ends
Available for interview:
Paul Grimes, Ashbourne, 087 2556945
Cara Gavigan, Kells, 086 2454707
Michael Gavigan, Navan, 086 2560530
Thomas Potterton, Trim, 086 2569344
