Cork House Price Survey March 2026

The price of the average second-hand three-bed semi in County Cork has risen by 1.1pc to €270,153 this quarter, according to the latest national survey by Real Estate Alliance.

In Cork city, prices over the past three months have increased by 1.2pc to €415,000, the Q1 REA Average House Price Index shows.

The average time taken to reach sale agreed in the area this quarter was four weeks.

“There continues to be strong demand for both second-hand and new homes, which is reflective of an increase of new home developments coming on stream,” said Michael O’Donoghue of REA O’Donoghue & Clarke, Bantry.

“In relation to the second-hand market, prices will continue to increase in 2026 due to the scarcity of stock combined with steady interest rates and increased competition for property.

“Demand is currently strong for all property types throughout the city and county.

“However, it is clear that the new rent controls will begin to have a detrimental effect on the future rental market once notice periods expire, due to landlords having issued notice to their tenants prior to the implementation of same.”

Agents report that prices in Charleville rose by 1.1pc this quarter to an average of €237,500.

The survey shows that this quarter, 15pc of purchasers in the city and 80pc across the county were first-time buyers, while a total of 60pc of sales in the county, and 20pc in Cork city, were attributed to landlords leaving the market.

Additionally, the survey found A-rated BER properties are commanding 10pc price increases in the city and 15pc across the county in comparison to C-rated properties.

The REA Average House Price Index concentrates on the sale price of Ireland's typical stock home, the three-bed semi, giving an accurate picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide.

The actual selling price of a three-bed, semi-detached house across the country rose by 1.5pc in the past three months to €364,747.

This represents a 7.67pc annual rise – slowing gradually from the 9pc increase registered six months ago.

With energy prices coming into focus, agents are reporting that there is a renewed focus on heating costs, with the A-rated v C-rated BER price premium rising to 13pc, up from 10pc at the end of December.

Actual selling prices in Dublin city rose by 1.6pc in the last three months, with the average three-bed semi in the capital’s postcode areas now selling at €595,453, a 6.6pc annual rise.

The percentage of first-time buyers purchasing in Dublin has dropped from 50pc to 39pc in the past six months, with agents citing a wait-and-see policy from buyers around the changes in rental legislation.

Selling prices in Ireland’s major cities outside Dublin rose by 1.2pc to an average of €378,250 – a 6.5pc annual increase, with homes selling in four weeks on average.

Homes in the country’s large towns rose by 2pc this quarter and 9pc annually to an average of €281,287, while prices in commuter counties rose by 1pc to €377,185.