NI house prices on 'gentle upward trend' in 2018

Image source, Peter Horrox

Image caption, The standardised average house price in the quarter was just over 拢130,000 in the first quarter of 2018

House prices in Northern Ireland continued on a gentle upward trend in the first quarter of 2018.

Prices were 4.2% higher than in the same period in 2017.

They were also 0.3% higher when compared to the previous quarter.

The standardised average house price in the quarter was just over 拢130,000.

The figures are from the NI Residential Property Price Index, which analyses almost all sales, including cash deals.

All council districts saw prices rise year-on-year, ranging from 1% in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon to 7.8% in Mid Ulster.

NISRA, the official statistics agency, said the house price index is now 17.2% higher than in the first quarter of 2015, and 16.2% higher than in the first quarter of 2005.

However, prices are still far below what they were in the bubble years of 2007 and 2008.