Average price of three-bed semi in Meath nears €300k

The price of the average second-hand three-bed semi in county Meath has risen by 1.7% to €298,750 in the last three months, according to a national survey by Real Estate Alliance.

And the survey has shown that 71% of sales in the county are to first-time buyers, with 33% of all purchasers coming from outside the area.

Across the county, the average time taken to sell is four weeks, the Q2 REA Average House Price Index has shown.

Prices in Ashbourne rose by €10,000 to €385,000, an increase of 2.7%, with 60% of sales to first-time buyers and 40% of buyers from outside the county.

“The limited supply of available second hand homes continues to impact on the market,” said Paul Grimes of REA Grimes, Ashbourne.

“Prices going into Q3 2022 appear stable despite concerns of inflation pressures and the ongoing war in Ukraine.”

Prices in Trim rose 1.8% to €290,000, an increase of €5,000, with 90% of sales to first-time buyers and buyers from outside the county accounting for 10% of total sales.

“The market seems to be just steady at the moment,” said Thomas Potterton of REA TE Potterton, Trim.

“We are still seeing very little for sale, but the real high demand seems to have also slowed.”

Navan prices remained unchanged at €275,000 this quarter with first-time buyers represented 75% of sales in the area, and 40% of buyers coming from outside the county.

“Supply and demand are still strong for three-bed semi-detached homes in Navan, so in turn sale prices achieved are still very strong,” said Michael Gavigan of REA T&J Gavigan, Navan.

“The increasing pressure on households' finances and increases to mortgage rates could cause growth to stabilise.”

The market in Kells saw a 2.1% increase to €245,000, up €5,000, with 60% of sales to first-time buyers, and purchasers from outside the county also sitting at 40% of total sales.

“Supply is still low, but buyers seem less frantic in recent weeks,” said Cara Gavigan of REA T&J Gavigan, Kells.

“We have seen the interest in three and four bed semis slow down somewhat but it will no doubt pick up again.”

The REA Average House Price Survey concentrates on the actual sale price of Ireland's typical stock home, the three-bed semi, giving an accurate picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide.

A marked increase in private landlords selling their properties nationally has increased supply levels and tempered price rises in some areas.

Up to 30% of houses for sale in some areas of Dublin are now due to landlords selling their additional properties, with knock-on effects for the rental market, the survey has found.

Actual selling prices in Dublin postcode districts have risen by 2.5% in the past three months, to an average of €493,333 – but the annual rate of increase has dropped two percentage points to 8% on the previous survey.

The price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house across the country rose by 2.9% over the past three months to €286,611 – representing an annual increase of 13%.