This year has been another turbulent year with the COVID-19 pandemic once again impacting the market.

The year kicked off with Level 5 restrictions in place resulting in our office being closed to the public and all viewing activity driven online. Property services were then deemed an essential service allowing for limited viewing activity.

This all changed again on January 13 with increasing case numbers and all viewing activity ceased.

Level 5 restrictions were then extended to March 5.

The industry downgraded to Level 3 restrictions in May which meant our offices eventually reopened to the public and business as usual.
While the first four months of the year were heavily restrictive, we relied heavily on our investment in technologies to enable us to continue to offer our property services. Little did we think back in Mach 2020 that we would sell houses on the back of online virtual viewings only but how the world has changed in such a short space of time.

Since the re-opening of society in May, the property market has gone from strength to strength. We have seen price increases of up to 12% nationally in the year. Properties are going to ‘Sale Agreed’ status in record time.

The rental market has experienced a similar trend. With a high number of landlords exiting the market in the past 12 – 18 months and very little construction, rents have continued to rise. Rents in Munster are now 15.6% higher than 12 months ago.

We predict a busy year ahead in the local market with availability of stock being a major concern. With the cost of building at an all-time high, the scarcity of available properties for sale will continue into 2022.

Looking ahead property prices are set to rise again this year, although at a slower rate than 2021, with predictions of 5% - 7% expected.
At DNG Ted Healy, we look forward to 2022 and wish all our clients and 2021 homebuyers a Happy First Christmas in their New Homes.