The continuing upward trend in property prices is entirely consistent with signs of a broadening of the upswing in the Irish economy. In this regard, it accords with the further improvement in employment reported last week and particular aspects such as the increased incidence of full-time jobs growth that might be expected to bolster major purchases such as property.
The persistent buoyancy of Dublin housing price data reflects ongoing constraints on supply and is also consistent with the geographic split of the recent jobs data that point towards particularly strong growth in employment among households proximate to Dublin. This likely owes something to a spill-over caused by pricing/supply constraints in Dublin which also is partly responsible for the momentum in prices outside the capital. However, the more generalised improvement in Irish economic conditions now emerging is also driving this increase.
Today’s data also hint at a clear easing in the underlying pace of Irish house price inflation- the annualised monthly change over the past three months is +4.5% compared to a twelve month rate of increase of +15.8% (+16.8% in March). We would expect modest monthly changes in coming months to produce a significant easing in the annual rate of increase as 2015 progresses. Some increase in supply as well as new Central Bank ceilings on LTV and LTI limits will act as constraining factors on prices, particularly compared to the outsized gains seen through the middle of 2014. However, stronger domestic spending power, growing consumer confidence and the increased availability of credit mean the trend in Irish property prices continues upwards albeit at a more modest pace.
| Irish Residential Property Price Data: April | |||
| monthly change | annual change | cumulative fall since peak (all %) | |
| Nationwide | +0.6% | +15.8% | -37.8% |
| Dublin | +1.0% | +20.2% | -38.1% |
| of which | |||
| houses | +1.0% | +19.6% | -36.3% |
| apartments | 0.0% | +26.4% | -42.2% |
| Rest of Ireland | +0.3% | +11.4% | -41.4% |
This non-exhaustive information is based on short-term forecasts for expected developments in the economy and financial markets. KBC Bank cannot guarantee that these forecasts will materialize and cannot be held liable in any way for direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this document or its content. The document is not intended as personalised investment advice and does not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell or hold investments described herein. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon sources KBC believes to be reliable, KBC does not guarantee the accuracy of this information, which may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions and estimates constitute a judgment as of the date of the report and are subject to change without notice.