“Covid Effect” continues to drive up Irish house prices

The sharp increase in Irish house prices over the past year could continue in the near future, analysts say. In a recent survey of estate agents, four out of five surveyed predicted that national property prices would rise in the next year. The same survey also found that prices in some regions could rise by as much as 7 percent.

However, the rise in prices is most significant outside of Dublin. While experts predicted a rise of 4 percent in Dublin, a sharper increase is projected in areas outside the capital city. In Leinster, the rise is expected to be 6 percent, and prices are expected to increase by as much as 7 percent in Munster, Connacht and Ulster.

The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and the Central Bank of Ireland Residential Property Price Survey was conducted in May, surveying over 200 estate agents. In this survey, the estate agents blamed the higher price forecast on homes outside of Dublin on the “covid effect”. The experts said that covid lockdowns and remote work situations have increased the attractiveness of …

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Rate of expansion in construction activity slowed in June

In June, the rate of expansion in construction activity slowed in Ireland. The civil engineering division had a slight decrease while the housing and commercial divisions remained strong.

The latest Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) showed construction activity went from 63.6 percent in May down to 58.2 percent in June. However, if it is above 50 percent then that means the sector is growing.

Housing activity sector of the index went from 69.2 percent in May to 59.5 percent in June. Commercial activity reads at 60.8 percent in June from 65.2 percent in May. Civil engineering dropping from 51.8 percent in May to 48.4 percent in June.

Despite the sector growing, it still has not hit the target level of 25,000 new housing units every year, according to the Economic and Social Research Institute. Last year, the Department of Housing estimated a total of …

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