Cavan homes sold two weeks faster in last quarter

While prices stayed unchanged this quarter, the price of the average three-bed semi-detached house in the county rose by 2% to €127,500 over the past year.

The time taken to sell the average house in Cavan has fallen by two weeks in the past quarter, a national property survey has found.

The REA Average House Price Survey found that the average time taken to sell across the county fell over the past three months from eight weeks six.

While prices stayed unchanged this quarter, the price of the average three-bed semi-detached house in the county rose by 2% to €127,500 over the past year.

“We are seeing that demand is up across the board, and supply is an issue,” said James Spring of REA Peter Donohoe, Ballyconnell and Cavan Town.

“The market is excellent, and demand is coming from first time buyers, the council, and investors.

“There is an increase in enquiries for rental and sales from Dublin and commuter belts and from people looking for holiday homes and to work from home.”

Prices in Ballyconnell rose annually by 5% to €105,000, which the average three-bed semi in Cavan Town remained steady at €150,000.

The 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 average three bed semi nationally is now reaching sale agreed after seven weeks across the country – a significant fall from the ten-week average in June.

Despite fears of a downturn in the market during the Covid-19 crisis, the price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house across the country rose by 0.6% over the past three months to €236,046, an annual increase of 0.4%.

Reflecting the beginnings of a flight to rural locations, prices in the rest of the country’s towns rose by almost 1% in 12 weeks to €163,345.

The price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house in Dublin City rose by 0.5% to €429,333 during the past three months, an annual increase of 0.2%.

Commuter counties fared less well than Dublin, with three bed semis averaging €247,667, a 0.3% rise on the Q2 figure of €246,944.

“Houses are taking an average three weeks less to sell across the country, driven by a combination of low supply and highly-motivated buyers,” said REA spokesperson Barry McDonald.

“This is a huge shift in market behaviour, and one that we have not experienced in the last decade with almost every agent reporting a substantial drop in the time to reach sale agreed.

“Buyers are more focused, with a higher percentage of bids being made, and in many cases are looking to secure homes before their current mortgage approval runs out.”