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What’s next for the property market?

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4 years ago

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SELECTION HEADACHE: Kerry manager Peter Keane has plenty to ponder ahead of his team's championship opener on Saturday. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile.

By Michael O’Connor    

This weekend I spent much of my time scrolling through various property websites, virtually searching through houses both at home and abroad.

Now don’t get me wrong, I do this quite a bit, but typically, I’m doing it out of curiosity more than intent.

Generally my wife sends me a link to a house, I have a nose at the pictures, and then I carry on living my life, the end.

This time it’s different.

The fact that we might actually buy one of the homes behind the link this time around adds a whole new and altogether stressful layer to a previously beloved pastime.

Like many, the idea of investing in property is something I have toyed with for a while. From a financial standpoint, I have never been overly drawn to the idea of real estate as an asset class.

Despite our cultural obsession with homeownership, there are multiple downsides. Blasphemy, I know, but bear with me.

Mortgage fees, property taxes, insurance, maintenance costs, estate agent fees, lack of mobility, landlord duties - to name just a few. All these seem to be conveniently forgotten when the back of the envelope property performance calc is being done.

Since 1940, the median home value in the United States, adjusted for home size, has increased at an annualised rate of 4.6%. After accounting for inflation, the average home value has risen by just 1.5% per year.

Stocks have generated roughly 7% per year over the long run after accounting for inflation. In other words, the stock market has generated returns at more than four times the rate of real estate appreciation.

With that being said, I do have some gripes with the stats above. Firstly, it ignores the excess volatility you get from the stock market.

Secondly, and more importantly, you can’t just strip out the leverage effect.

One final unique upside; if the capital appreciation isn’t what you expect, you can still live in it. The stock market doesn’t offer you a roof over your head.

Like most things in life, nothing is ever as good, or as bad, as it seems.

Property is no different.

With the background out of the way, let’s get into the important stuff.

Where do prices go from here?

My opinion: Do I think house prices are cripplingly high for first-time buys? Yes. Do I think they can go higher? Absolutely.

While I don’t think that property can continue to grow at the same clip into a rising interest rate environment, there are too many supportive variables at play to justify any significant move lower.

To read the full in-depth review of each factor driving the current property market and how long these factors will persist, go to www.theislandinvestor.com.

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Gleneagle Concert Band cast in major Hollywood Film

  Members of The Gleneagle Concert Band have been cast in a major Hollywood movie currently filming in West Cork. The WWII biopic is inspired by Hollywood legend James Stewart’s […]

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5 hours ago

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14 October 2025

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Members of The Gleneagle Concert Band have been cast in a major Hollywood movie currently filming in West Cork.

The WWII biopic is inspired by Hollywood legend James Stewart’s life, highlighting his time as a combat pilot after putting his entertainment career on hold to join the U.S. Army Air Corps.
It’s set to be the biggest film production filmed in Ireland this year, with a U.S. release scheduled for November 2026.

Band Musical Director Vincent Condon said the opportunity came about through a mix of curiosity and perfect timing.

“I read that a major film was being shot in West Cork and got in touch to see if they needed a band. Wartime movies often feature military bands, and they were delighted that I reached out. The film required an all-male band under 25, which is historically accurate. Filming took place at the start of October, and it was a fantastic experience for everyone involved.”

Band Manager Ciaran Lynch described the experience as unforgettable.

“The band was excellent. We did everything asked of us with no fuss, and it was amazing to see how a major movie comes together. In a year or so, we’ll be able to sit in the cinema with our families and point to the screen saying, ‘We were part of that!’”

This latest experience follows the band’s highly successful summer tour to Seville and Gibraltar, where they performed alongside the Midleton Concert Band beneath Seville’s spectacular Las Setas structure. The trip marked the band’s eighth international tour, continuing a proud tradition of representing Killarney abroad.

With opportunities ranging from international tours to movie sets, the Gleneagle Concert Band continues to give its members unique and creative musical experiences both at home and overseas.

Anyone interested in joining the band or enrolling for instrumental lessons is encouraged to get in touch on 087 222 9513.

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Local schools launch initiative to promote healthy technology use for children

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5 hours ago

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14 October 2025

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Holy Family NS Rathmore, Raheen NS, Meentogues NS and Shrone NS have teamed up with three other schools on the Cork side of the border to launch an innovative project called Agree to Agree.


This is a community wide effort to help families navigate the challenge of children and technology.


The initiative encourages parents of primary school pupils to make a voluntary pledge around healthy technology use at home.


For younger pupils, this includes keeping children smartphone-free, following age-appropriate guidelines for games and apps, and staying off social media during primary school years.


For older pupils who may already own phones / devices, the project suggests practical steps such as reducing screen time, keeping phones out of bedrooms, avoiding age-inappropriate apps, and learning about digital citizenship and online safety.


In the coming weeks, children will bring home information packs and families will have the chance to sign the voluntary agreement. Two parent webinars are already scheduled for October 26 and February 26.


This Pilot was funded by the Department of Education and Skills under the then Minister of Education and Skills – Norma Foley TD. Schools were invited to participate through Tralee Education Support Centre Director, Terry O’Sullivan.


The other participating schools are Ballydesmond NS, Kiskeam NS, and Knocknagree NS.

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