South Wicklow property prices rise by ten per cent

THE housing market in south Wicklow has witnessed strong growth, with prices up in excess of ten per cent in the last year according the team at Sherry FitzGerald Myles Doyle.

The Arklow-based estate agent also expects further price increases – possibly ten per cent again this year and into 2019.

‘A scarcity of quality, well-presented homes together with buyers’ expectations of further price rises is a contributory factor,’ said proprietor Paschal Bermingham,

Starter homes priced at up to €220,000 are highly sought after by first time buyers with finance in place. It’s believed that the strength of the Dublin market combined with a lack of new homes being built in Arklow is contributing to upward price pressure.

Robert Earls of Sherry FitzGerald Myles Doyle said that, despite this, there is still value to be had in and around the south Wicklow area and Arklow itself.

Sherry FitzGerald Myles Doyle has also seen increased demand in the mid-market price range (€250,000 to €380,000) from growing families trading up for more space and bigger gardens.

‘Houses in this bracket were a bit slow to sell 12 to 18 months ago but are now moving quite quickly and prices are creeping up steadily – whereas investors were inactive up to about 12 months ago, there is now solid demand particularly for two and three bed apartments up to €150,000 and prices in this market sector are rising steadily also,’ said team member Ruth Willoughby.

While the housing market has struggled somewhat in the past decade, green shoots are definitely showing and Sherry FitzGerald Myles Doyle are currently offering homes in two new housing developments; namely ‘ The Meadows’ in Wicklow town and ‘Woodpark’ in Rathdrum. On the commercial front, the company has seen movement on a number of properties on Arklow’s main street in the last year, some of which had been sitting on the market and were slow to sell.

‘Whereas prices have not increased much in this sector since the property crash, commercial property is again moving, which is a very positive sign,’ said team member Robert Earls. TWO Wicklow companies will find out today if they have made it onto the national shortlist for the National Start-up Awards.

Fleet and the Irish Mussel Seed Company were both among the 109 companies to appear on the regional shortlist for the awards, which are sponsored by Bank of Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. This regional shortlist will be judged again, with the national shortlist due to be announced today ( Wednesday, May 2).

Fleet was shortlisted in the Travel and Tourism category for the Rest of Leinster, while Irish Mussel Seed Company has been shortlisted in the Food and Drink and Social/Sustainable categories in the Rest of Leinster.

Fleet was formed by businessman Maurice Sheehy and allow motorists to hire out their cars when they are not using them.

The Irish Mussel Seed Company was established by Kate Dempsey of Arklow to develop a dependable, quality supply of sustainably sourced Irish mussel seed.

The national awards night will take place on Thursday, May 17, in Dublin.