Average Kildare three-bed costs €450k

THE price of the average second-hand three-bed semi in county Kildare has risen by 1.3pc to €450,500 according to a national survey, making it the second most expensive property in the nation after Dublin.

Across Kildare, the average time taken to sell has risen from four to five weeks, the REA Average House Price Index shows.

There were 1.8 per cent quarterly rises in both Naas (€465,000) and Newbridge (€390,000), while the average price in Maynooth was stable at €472,000 this quarter, with the price in Celbridge rising by 1.7 per cent to €475,000.

The survey also found that properties in Kildare with a BER rating of A commanded an average 20 per cent premium over C-rated stock – reflecting the rising attractiveness of retrofitted homes.

“It’s unbelievable, but that’s the way the prices are going,” said Clive Kavanagh of Jordan Auctioneers in Newbridge.

“There might be a softening in a few years when supply catches up with demand, but not right now."

“Older houses aren’t a popular as you’d think, because access to labour is a major problem to deal with all the little jobs these properties usually have,” he added.

“And if you’ve just moved to a new town you have absolutely no chance of finding anyone. Tradesmen just don’t have the time to get there,” he pointed out.

“But new houses are absolutely flying, and show no sign of slowing down, and it is not evidenced in sales yet. They’re very strong now,” he said.

“The residential second-hand market is very much dominated by a lack of supply. Increasing building costs are also a factor for both vendors and purchasers,” said Brian Farrell of REA Brophy Farrell. 

“There has been a slight increase in people looking to downsize seeking town centre properties and bungalows.”