Key Findings:
- Estate agents expect national property prices to increase by an average of 5% over the next 12 months
- 92% of agents describe current residential property prices as expensive or very expensive – up from 84% six months ago
- Just 6% consider that property represents fair value, down from 12% a year ago and 17% in 2024
- Almost two thirds of agents – 64% – believe prices are increasing but will level off soon – a further 18% believe they have peaked
- The report found that affordability challenges are intensifying for a first-time buyer couple earning a combined €113K
- The case study shows that while a couple could afford a 3-bed semi in Cork, the affordability gap in the Dublin commuter belt is up to €25K
- Report indicates that as smaller landlords continue to exit the rental market, ownership is concentrating among larger scale institutional providers