The price of the average second-hand three-bed semi in county Galway has hit €300,000 for the first time, a rise of 5.1pc in the past three months, according to a national survey by Real Estate Alliance.
The €14,500 increase represents an annual rise of 15.3pc, the REA Average House Price Index shows.
The sales price of the average three-bed semi in Galway city has continued to rise by 2.6pc in the past three months to €395,000 – an annual increase of 9.7pc.
House price growth in both city and county areas is being driven by lack of supply, according to agents REA McGreal Burke, with homes reaching sale agreed in four weeks.
“Limited supply in the city in recent months allied to continued strong demand has driven price increases,” said Kevin Burke of REA McGreal Burke.
“The market remains very strong across the county, with very limited supply at first time buyer level.”
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 announcement of a nationwide rent pressure zone has triggered a sharp increase in landlords exiting the housing market, the survey showed.
The Government’s announcement in June was followed by an immediate spike in landlord sales in many areas now included in the legislation.
REA agents in Carlow, Kerry and Waterford have reported that over 40pc of their sales are attributable to landlords in the past three months – with that figure rising to 60pc in Limerick city and 80pc in Nenagh.
The REA survey also found that properties with a BER rating of A commanded an average 17pc premium over C-rated stock – reflecting the rising attractiveness of retrofitted homes.
The actual selling price of a three-bed, semi-detached house across the country rose by 1.6pc in the past three months to €353,458, a 9.1pc overall rise annually.
The rate of increase in Dublin has more than halved in the past three months, with REA agents reporting a marked drop in viewings in the capital and homes now taking five weeks or more to reach sale agreed.
Selling prices in Ireland’s major cities outside Dublin rose by 2.2pc to an average of €368,492 – an 8pc annual increase.
Homes in the country’s large towns continue to show growth nationwide, 2.2pc this quarter and 10.7pc on last September to an average of €269,199.