The price of the average second-hand three-bed semi in County Kildare is predicted to increase by 5pc in 2024, according to a national survey by Real Estate Alliance.

Three-bed semi-detached homes in the county now cost an average of €371,250, up 3pc on the December 2022 average of €361,250, the Q4 REA Average House Price Index shows.

County agents reported that first time buyers made up 70pc of the market in Q4 2023, with 50pc of sales coming from outside the county, and 5pc of sales attributed to landlords selling properties.

“We have seen no real change in market conditions in Q4 with low stock levels continuing to cause challenges,” said Brian Farrell of REA Brophy Farrell.

“We are expecting these supply issues combined with reduced purchasing power due to interest rates and affordability factors to dominate in early 2024.

“However, there is still a healthy appetite from first time buyers for new builds and good BER-rated residential offerings.”

Over the past twelve months, the average price in Maynooth increased by 2.6% to €400,000, while the average Celbridge price rose by 2.6% to €390,000.

Prices in Naas during this period increased by 2.7% to €375,000, and prices in Newbridge rose by 3.2% to €320,000.

The REA Average House Price Index concentrates on the actual 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.

Three-bed semi prices nationally will rise by 3pc in 2024, estate agents across the country are predicting.

A record shortage of supply has driven a 1.5pc rise in the last three months in the capital, but only in houses under a certain price, the index found.

House prices in Dublin and the other cities outpaced Ireland’s large towns and commuter counties as mortgage approved buyers chase properties within their price ceiling.

The actual selling price of a three-bed, semi-detached house across the country rose by 1pc in the final quarter of 2023 to €304,259 – representing an annual increase of 4.3pc.

Time taken to reach sale agreed nationally is steady at five weeks as low supply continues to drive sales in an increasing interest rate environment.

Prices in Dublin city rose by 1.5pc in the last three months, meaning that the average three-bed semi in the capital is now selling at €511,667 – an increase of 3pc in the last year.

Mortgage-approved first-time buyers are still the main market drivers, with 59pc of sales nationally – a figure that rises dramatically to over 80pc in commuter counties as they hunt suitably priced properties.

Cities outside Dublin experienced a 1.73pc rise in the past three months to an average selling price of €323,000 – with the annual rate of increase of 4.5pc.

Homes in the commuter belt showed the most stability in 2023, rising by just 2.2pc to €319,722, with counties within travelling distance of the capital recording growth of just 0.2pc in the past three months.

The biggest annual rise came in large towns nationwide, which rose by 6.6pc annually and 1.2pc in the quarter to €223,638.