12/04/2011

House Prices Falling In NI

According to a survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), house prices in Northern Ireland will continue to fall this year.

The report by RICS and Ulster Bank shows prices are expected to fall over the next three months.

Reduced household incomes and a growing number of house repossessions are responsible for the dip in the market, according to RICS.

However, falling prices have led to an increase in house sales and the RICS recorded a rise in the number of properties sold during the last three months.

RICS housing spokesman, Tom McClelland, said: "It is clear that consumer confidence remains low due to high inflation, as well as the measures that have been put in place to deal with the UK deficit and due to the general economic environment.

"Household incomes are falling in real terms, and interest rates will rise, but will likely still be very low in historic terms for some time.

"However, where asking prices are realistic, sales will take place, and this will continue to be the case."

Mr McClelland added that some sectors of the market are seeing steady activity such as houses priced under £125,000 and keenly priced new build houses.

(JG/GK)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 November 2024
Belfast Christmas Market Announces Dublin Express As Official Travel Partner
Belfast Christmas Market is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary in style, with the announcement of Dublin Express as its official travel partner. Opening its gates on November 16th at 12 noon, the market is expected to attract over a million visitors.
15 September 2011
Unemployment To Blame For Falling House Prices
High unemployment and budget cuts are being blamed for the falling house prices in Northern Ireland, according to a survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The report by RICS and Ulster Bank also found that transaction volumes remained static in August.
11 September 2012
First Time Buyer Numbers On The Up
First-time buyers in Northern Ireland are taking advantage of falling house prices, new figures suggest. A survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors found that the proportion of first-time buyers in the housing market is at its largest since 2001.
11 April 2012
NI Housing Market Sees Some Improvements
Last month has saw some improvements in Northern Ireland's housing market, it has been revealed. According to research carried out by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Ulster Bank Housing Market Survey there has been a rise in transactions in March 2012. There were also increases in enquiries and new instructions.
14 September 2010
NI House Prices 'Falling For Three Years'
House prices in Northern Ireland have been falling for three years, according to a study of chartered surveyors. The balance of Northern Ireland respondents to the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) housing market survey, supported by Ulster Bank, has been reporting falling prices every month since August 2007.