House prices in Waterford are the highest ever recorded
House prices in Waterford city are higher than the national average. Photo: REA
Houses in Waterford were the most expensive they’ve ever been in 2025, according to a national survey carried out by the Real Estate Alliance (REA).
The price of the average second-hand three-bed semi-detached house in Waterford city rose to €345,000 in 2025, up 10.6pc from €312,000 at the end of 2024. This makes Waterford the cheapest city to buy a house in Ireland.
In Waterford county, the average price was slightly lower at €295,000. But this was still an increase of 10.7pc from €266,500 in 2024.
In the county, the average time taken to sell a house was eight weeks, while in the city it was five weeks.
House prices in Waterford city are higher than the national average of €359,417. But houses in Waterford county are well below the national average.
Prices in Dublin city rose by 1.5pc in the last three months, with the average three-bed semi in the capital’s postcode areas now selling at €586,000, an 8.1pc annual rise.
Selling prices in Ireland’s major cities outside Dublin rose by 1.3pc to an average of €373,750 – a 7.4pc annual increase.
In 2008, the price of a house in Waterford was €289,318.
One-quarter of all house sales were attributed to landlords selling their properties and leaving the market. This is ahead of a change to the law, which provides stronger security of tenure for tenants. This means that landlords will face tighter restrictions with regard to no-fault evictions.
“There is emerging evidence that more and more small landlords are looking at their options on whether to hold or sell by reason of the pending Residential Tenancy Legislation,” said Eamonn Spratt of REA Spratt, Dungarvan.
The survey shows that this quarter, 75pc of purchasers in the city and 40pc across the county were first-time buyers.
A recent rise in landlords exiting the housing market is set to sharply increase in the first months of 2026, according to agents.
The upcoming nationwide rent pressure zone at the end of February has experienced a 38pc annual rise in landlord sales in many areas now covered by the legislation.
Prices in commuter counties rose by 1.6pc to €373,513, and while supply continues to cause issues, there is an anticipation of further landlord sales across the area in the new year.
Mr Spratt told the Waterford News & Star that "it's going to benefit those in a position to buy, but in terms of renters, there will be challenges".
At the moment, the majority of people buying homes are buying for personal use but Mr Spratt predicts that once the legislation is passed in March, there will be an increase in people buying investment properties.
