Following decades of unrest and uncertainty, Northern Ireland is at last emerging from the shadow of its violent past. During the years of The Troubles, the region’s many good points –including beautiful coast and countryside, distinctive cultural traditions, numerous historic and other attractions, and excellent golf and fishing – were largely obscured (to outsiders, at any rate) by the volatile political situation. Since the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 however international confidence in the region is growing. Multi-national corporations are investing there, attracted by generous government subsidies. Tourism and the services sector are expanding, and regeneration programmes are underway.
Properties in Northern Ireland are becoming a desirable place in which to live and invest.
Like that of other parts of the UK,
Northern Ireland Property stock is varied. Terraced properties, townhouses and apartments are especially popular with first-time buyers and investors. Detached and semi-detached homes from a variety of periods are also available, as are bungalows. The region’s buy-to-let sector has grown rapidly, comparatively modest prices having resulted in heavy demand from investors based in the Republic. Key areas to consider for buy-to-let investment
Property in Northern Ireland are those offering a guaranteed supply of tenants. One such is Coleraine, regional centre of North East Ireland and location of one of the University of Ulster’s five campuses. During the last decade, the town has benefited from a new shopping centre, hospital, civic centre, and bus and rail interchange. As a bonus, it is close to the Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with its Blue Flag beaches and championship golf courses, and so attracts tourists. Property in Belfast, as befits Northern Ireland’s capital and largest city, is also very sought after. Towns with good links to Belfast and other key centres are also seeing rapid growth. In Newry, south of the city, for example, prices have rocketed, thanks in part to a booming buy-to-let market. Within commuting distance of both Belfast and Dublin, by road and rail, the town remains more affordable than either. On the back of Newry’s success, property in nearby towns like Banbridge and Rathfriland is becoming sought after. Other locations popular with Belfast commuters include Antrim, Lisburn and Ballymena, all of which have seen hefty price increases. Londonderry (or Derry), Northern Ireland’s second largest city and the economic centre of the north west, is also gaining in popularity.
As in other UK regions, towns with good or improving transport links to major centres are the ones to watch. Just 40 kilometres south west of Belfast city centre, on the shores of Lough Neagh, you will find Craigavon. As well as excellent road and rail links to both Belfast and the Republic, Craigavon has good shopping and leisure facilities, plus the largest concentration of manufacturing industry outside Belfast and a number of public sector employers. At the head of Strangford Lough, 16 kilometres east of Belfast, is Newtownards, where prices have risen similarly to Craigavon’s. Once a peaceful market town, it is now a vibrant commercial and manufacturing centre, with good transport links, leisure facilities, shops and restaurants
Please browse through
House Sales Northern Ireland website (housesalesnorthernireland.com) and get in touch with one of our agents if you have any queries.
