Some estate agents in the North have been unable to sell a single property in the last few months as prices plunge even lower, according to a survey released today.
The cost of the average house fell by more than 15 per cent from a year previously, according to the University of Ulster/Bank of Ireland/Housing Executive Quarterly House Price Index of 120 estate agents.
The report said the average price was £203,775, compared with more than £250,000 in the third quarter of 2007.
Bungalow prices were among the worst affected over the last year, while apartment costs rose by 10 per cent. Terraced and town houses fell by a quarter and detached houses dropped by 17.5 per cent.
At least a tenth of estate agents reported no transactions between July and September, with many others disposing of only a handful of properties, the University of Ulster-Bank of Ireland report said.
There were only 670 sales across the North, less than half during the same period last year.
Report author Alastair Adair said: “The impact has been severe on the local housing market, with prices down considerably.
“In addition, the volume of transactions has been eroded further, notably in the resale market where many sellers are adopting a wait-and-see approach.”
PA