‘Significant increase in demand’ for homes in Carrick

Lynsey Graham, manager of Reeds Rain, Carrickfergus. INCT 23-701-CONLynsey Graham, manager of Reeds Rain, Carrickfergus. INCT 23-701-CON
Lynsey Graham, manager of Reeds Rain, Carrickfergus. INCT 23-701-CON
Confidence is increasing in the housing market in Carrickfergus Borough, according to a local independently-owned estate agency.

Reeds Rains has reported a 26% increase in the number of homes sold during the first three months of 2014 compared to the same period last year.

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The figures, the company points out, are in line with the Government’s Northern Ireland Residential Property Price Index (released Wednesday, May 21) which show that sales recorded in Q1 2014 were 21% higher than Q1 2013 - the highest quarterly increase since 2007.

Lynsey Graham, manager of the Reeds Rains branch in Carrick, said: “Over recent months we’ve seen a 22% increase in homes coming on the market with a 26% increase in sales. Put simply we need more homes to satisfy this significant upturn in demand.

“That translates to each one of our agencies in Belfast (Lisburn Road), Bangor, Carrick, Glengormley, Newtownards and Lisburn.

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“There is a renewed confidence in the marketplace and the Government figures coupled with our own represent great news for home buyers, sellers and the wider economy.”

And it’s not any one particular property that is outperforming others according to Lynsey.

She continued: “We have a great mix of property moving quickly, first time buyers wanting to get on the ladder and vendors ready to move on and up. 

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“Interest in new build developments is increasing across our branches, but new developments in Carrick alone have increased 50% year on year.

“With mortgages now more appealing to the first-time buyer, we are confident this upward trend will continue for rest of 2014.”

Reeds Rains has been operating in Northern Ireland since 2010 after purchasing the Halifax estate agency business.