If you’re thinking about buying a home in Northern Ireland at the minute, you’ll probably have noticed that prices are still moving upwards.

The latest PropertyPal Housing Market Update shows that the average property price in Northern Ireland has reached £239,234, an increase of 3.8% over the past year. That’s almost £9,000 more than the average price 12 months earlier. [1]

That’s not the sort of increase we were seeing during some of the stronger periods of the market, but it does show that prices are continuing to rise rather than falling back.

Some areas are seeing much bigger increases

The overall Northern Ireland figure doesn’t tell the full story, though.

There are significant differences depending on where you’re looking.

Fermanagh & Omagh recorded the biggest annual increase, with average property prices rising by 10.3% over the year. [1]

Closer to home, the figures for Derry City & Strabane are also worth keeping an eye on, particularly for anyone looking to buy locally.

There’s another issue – not enough homes

One of the biggest factors in the market at the minute isn’t just prices. It’s availability.

PropertyPal reported that around 6,500 new second-hand properties were listed during the quarter, but this was fewer than the number of transactions agreed. As a result, the amount of property available to buyers has continued to tighten. [1]

At the same time, enquiries to estate agents per advertised property were up 7% compared with last year, suggesting that demand remains relatively strong. [1]

Properties are also typically reaching sale agreed within 36 days, which PropertyPal says is around two weeks faster than the long-term norm. [1]

So, while buyers aren’t necessarily facing the same level of competition we saw during the pandemic boom, there still aren’t huge numbers of suitable properties sitting around for months.

What does this mean if you’re looking to buy?

For me, the main takeaway is that there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all answer to the Northern Ireland property market.

If you’re a first-time buyer, moving home or looking to remortgage, the important thing is understanding what you can actually afford and what your options are before you start looking at properties.

And with house prices continuing to move upwards, getting your mortgage position sorted early can make the whole process much easier.

It doesn’t necessarily mean you need to rush out and buy the first house you see.

It simply means that if you’re serious about moving, it’s useful to know your budget, understand what your monthly payments could look like and have your mortgage options explored before you start making offers.

Thinking about buying?

The Northern Ireland housing market continues to move, but the picture varies quite a bit depending on the area and the type of property you’re looking for.

If you’re thinking about buying your first home, moving house or simply want to know what you could potentially borrow, give us a shout.

We’re whole-of-market mortgage advisers, so we can look at the options available based on your own circumstances and help you understand what your next steps could look like.

Sources

[1] PropertyPal – NI Housing Market Update: Q2 2026, published 29 July 2026. PropertyPal Q2 2026 Housing Market Update

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