Despite faltering economy Cork house prices expected to rise 7%

By Tommy Barker

A slowing economy, war, rising unemployment, a drop in rents unsettling investors and the fear that future interest rate hikes would wipe out many hard-pressed buyers have all cropped up as reasons to be cautious.

Yet, buyers in major areas of population are still flocking to property purchases, buying off the plans in Dublin and storming showhouses in other cities, with lending institutions’ pre-approval cheques in hand.