The fast start to the year for the Northern Ireland housing market has continued into the second quarter, new data from PropertyPal suggests.

The listing website said last month was the busiest April for home sales in four years, with properties selling on average 13 days faster than last year.

The average time for a house listing to reach ‘sale agreed’ in the north is now 37 days.

It compared to 50 days compared for the same month last year.

HMRC data published earlier this month recorded 7,130 residential property transactions in Northern Ireland in the first three months of 2025.

It was only the second time house sales in the first quarter surpassed the 7,000 mark since 2007.

A significant proportion of those property deals (3,150) came in March, ahead of the implementation of stamp duty increases in April.

But lower borrowing costs due to the cuts to interest rates has proved significant in recent months

The Bank of England’s decision to reduce the base interest rate to 4.25% on May 8 was the fifth cut since August 2024.

“April saw continued momentum in the Northern Ireland housing market, with activity levels expected to remain strong into the summer,” said PropertyPal chief executive Jordan Buchanan.

PropertyPal’s latest market snapshot recorded 2,206 house sales across the north in April 2025, which was 5% up on April 2024.

Mr Buchanan said PropertyPal has also experienced growth in website traffic and estate agent enquiries.

“This robust performance has contributed to a further acceleration in price growth, with the average property now valued at around £233,000, up 8.9% year-on-year and among the highest rates of growth across any UK region.

“The recent decision by the Bank of England to cut interest rates is expected to pass through in the form of slightly lower mortgage rates in the coming months, which should add further support to the market,” he added.

Meanwhile, a separate house price index from Ulster University estimated the average home in Northern Ireland sold for £212,966 in the first quarter.

Produced in partnership with the Housing Executive and Progressive Building Society, the report is one of a number of indices that analyse activity in the north’s housing market, using slightly different methodologies.

The official Stormont-endorsed house price index from LPS, covering the same quarter, is due to be published next week.