Average house price in Antrim and Ballymena now £114,862

The research, which is carried out by Ulster University in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, analyses performance of Northern Ireland’s residential housing market between April and June 2015.

The report highlights an 8.3 per cent increase in house prices in the Antrim and Ballymena area relative to the same time last year, but a drop in average price compared to the strong performance of the local market in the first quarter of 2015.

Over the year most sectors of the Antrim and Ballymena housing market, notably semi-detached houses with an average house price of £109,970, detached houses with an average price of £166,573 and detached bungalows with an average price of £136,898, have experienced an increase in average sale price.

However, these prices are lower over the quarter apart from detached bungalows.

Terraced and townhouses with an average sale price of £68,125, have a reduced average price this quarter.

The University’s research provides evidence of Northern Ireland’s overall housing market indicating some slowing down both in terms of price growth and volume of sales for the second quarter of 2015.

The overall average house price in Northern Ireland was £145,390 for the second quarter of 2015.

While higher than the average price for the same period last year at £139,720, it represents only a 2.4 per cent weighted rate of annual price increase.

This is a significantly lower rate of annual growth compared to the 5.3 per cent weighted increase in house prices reported for the first quarter of 2015.

Highlighting Northern Ireland’s affordable housing market, the research found that two-thirds of houses were sold at or below £150,000. The share of newly built property has increased slightly from 15 per cent in the first quarter of 2015 to 18 per cent, which the research suggests is proof of a continuing recovery in private sector housing development.

Lead researcher, Professor Stanley McGreal from Ulster University said: “The University’s Quarterly House Price Index is designed to inform buyers in Northern Ireland’s residential housing market.

“The recent findings highlight that while the average property price is up over the year, there is a quarterly decrease highlighting slower market conditions during the spring of 2015.

“The research sample is generated by data from estate agents across Northern Ireland. The on the ground observations from estate agents are very much in line with the general market trends outlined in the report, specifically that there is a shortage in the supply of good quality housing coming on to the market, which may be impacting on price.

Joe Frey, the Housing Executive’s Head of Research, commented: “Ulster University’s most recent Quarterly House Price Index echoes the Housing Executive prognosis of a gently rising market. However, with Northern Ireland’s pace of economic recovery lagging behind other parts of the UK, it may be having a negative effect of investor confidence.”