House price index - Fall in house prices is not surprising

NOBODY should be surprised that there is a slowdown in house prices, in view of recent rises interest rate hikes and speculation about a possible change in the stamp duty as a result of promises being made by political parties.

These things were inevitably going to impact on the sale of houses, at least in the short term.

According to the latest house price index published by the Permanent TSB and the Economic and Social Research Institute, the price of houses was virtually static during February, and prices rose by just 1.6% in the previous six months.