Three-bedroomed semis are reaching sale agreed in a record low of two weeks after coming to market in some areas, fuelled by an unprecedented lack of supply, the Q1 Irish Independent REA Average House Price Index has found.
The average three bed semi is now reaching sale agreed after just five weeks on the market across the country – almost half the nine-week average this time last year.
Average house prices rose by almost 2% over the past three months, despite the absence of physical viewing, in a marketplace which is seeing the lowest supply and the shortest time taken to sell in recent history.
Not having to schedule appointments has led to potential buyers making swift bidding decisions on the back of virtual viewings, speeding up the selling process according to REA spokesman Anthony McGee of REA McGee based in Tallaght Village.
REA agents have reported that properties are reaching sale agreed just two weeks after going on the market in areas such as Dundalk and Ashbourne, where prices have risen by 8% (€205,000) and 4.9% (€320,000) in the last 12 weeks.
This compares to average selling time of eight and seven weeks respectively in the Co Louth and Co Meath towns a year ago.
REA Gunne in Dundalk are seeing remote workers with increased savings bidding for scarce supply while REA Grimes in Ashbourne have seen their virtual viewing and online sales campaigns facilitating an increased demand during lockdown.
In Dublin, three bed semi-detached properties are being snapped up after just three weeks in the Lucan area, compared to seven weeks in March 2020.
In Bray, the annual reduction is even starker, coming down from 15 weeks in March 2020 to just three as quality homes attract instant bidding.
Properties in Limerick city are taking three weeks to sell, down from five a year ago, while Galway city has seen average selling time drop from ten weeks to just four.
“Supply is down 38% year on year according to myhome.ie and the few properties going on the market are generating immediate interest and attracting offers within a week,” said REA spokesperson Anthony McGee.
“Buyers are massively motivated, with many anxious to secure a home before their mortgage approval runs out.
“The enforced move to virtual viewings has facilitated a speeding up of the sales process as buyers are not waiting for viewing appointments.
“Despite the restrictions, there is a willingness from some buyers to make offers for houses without physically viewing them.
“We are finding that some people are bidding for a number of properties at one time, in an attempt to get bids in, especially whore mortgage approvals may be running out.
“We only show properties to bidders once their offer has been accepted. At that stage they can withdraw, however, most sales are progressing toward completion.
“The past three months have also seen a marked return of both private investors and pension funds to the market, driven by strengthening rents and potential of negative interest rates.
“This is adding to the increased competition in what is becoming a perfect market for vendors.”
The Irish Independent 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.
The price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house across the country rose by almost €4,500 over the past three months to €243,603 – representing an annual increase of 3.6%.
The biggest rises in Q1 came in commuter counties as buyers move out further from the city in preparation for long-term hybrid working situations.
Dublin city experienced its biggest quarterly rise in over three years as the price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house rose by 1.5% to €438,500 during the past 12 weeks.
This represents an annual increase of 2.7% and means that the average Dublin three bed semi has now recovered to its December 2017 price level after a period of decreases, mainly in 2019.
North County Dublin prices rose by €6,500 on average to €318,166 – up 2.1% on the Q4 figure, while South County prices increased by a more modest 0.5% to €420,926.
“We are seeing double the number of enquiries compared to this time last year, with multiple bidders on all properties and asking prices being exceeded,” said Anthony McGee.
Three bed semis in commuter counties rose 2.3% by almost €6,000 in the past three months to an average of €258,889 – with the average home selling in four weeks – down from a high of 11 a year ago.
As the flight to rural locations continues, prices in the rest of the country’s towns rose by over 2% in Q1 to €168,828.
