RICS: NI records strongest UK house price gains

Northern Ireland's housing market is leading the UK when it comes to price gains, according to the latest data from the RICS and Ulster Bank Residential Market Survey.

Related topics:  Property
Warren Lewis
1st October 2014
Property
The market is tied with East Anglia for the strongest price momentum and demand in the UK, while other areas are concerned with a Bank of England base rate rise.

Ray Withers, Chief Executive of Property Frontiers, said:

"Northern Ireland's leading position comes hot on the heels of the news that August was the 15th successive month of price rises, according to data from local surveyors.

"The market there is really showing itself as a robust, long-term prospect, particularly when it comes to residential property investment.”

The commercial property is also thriving, the market's buoyancy is accredited to a combination of banks clearing their property loan books and a number of high profile properties coming onto the market. Investor announcements such as the 250 jobs to be created by US legal firm Baker & McKenzie are also contributing to Northern Ireland's progressive commercial property market.

Within the residential market, buy-to-let is booming, particularly in urban centres such as Belfast, where young professionals have flocked to the cities for work and are demanding high end, long-term rental apartments in which to settle.

Withers continued:

"Prices in many parts of Northern Ireland are still as much as 50% below their 2007 peak. As prices are now on the move, it's the perfect time for investors to buy, before the market really turns around and prices shoot up again."

The most recent Buy-to-Let Index from Your Move and Reeds Rains has given investors even more reason to look closely at buy-to-let property. The figures reveal that rents are now at an all-time high, with an average of £761 per month across England and Wales, beating the previous record of £758, which occurred during October 2013.


More like this
Latest from Financial Reporter
Latest from Protection Reporter
CLOSE
Subscribe
to our newsletter

Join a community of over 20,000 landlords and property specialists and keep up-to-date with industry news and upcoming events via our newsletter.