Estate agents in NI offer a positive perspective on buying a home after recent rise in the housing market following the end of 2025.
The average house price across Northern Ireland has risen 4.8% over the past year to £221,233 off the back of interest rate cut as well as competitive lending conditions.
A spokesperson for Benson’s state agency in Coleraine explained the positives to this increase, suggesting the market is “stable” compared to previous years.
“It’s a little bit more stable now in terms of the correction meant they are now more in line with what you would expect them to be.”
“Demand is still outstripping supply, so there is still, if your house is in the right location at the right price. The general experience at the moment is there are plenty of buyers about, and that probably reflected in the statistics.”
“The good thing for new first-time buyers is obviously; the mortgage companies now are starting to make more attractive products and they’re able to do that because interest rates have obviously reduced”.
He added, “There is still a little bit to go with this”.
With first time buyers being a forefront to estate agents minds, the representative offered some advice, “Try and do their best to get a few pound saved up for a deposit, and then when they’re in employment and then when their incomes in a position to go and buy—something that suits their needs”.
Price movements varied by area with Mid Ulster showing the strongest price growth at 4.8%, Antrim and Newtownabbey following a boost of 3.5%. With Belfast rising by 2.5%, this is due to a strong demand in the housing market in these areas.
In contrast, several Local Government Districts experienced a fall in prices with Causeway Coast and Glens falling -6.0%.
These reports were compiled from surveys by estate agents and produced by Ulster University in partnership with the NI Housing Executive and Progressive Building Society.
