RICS Residential Market Survey NI – January 2026

The number of new homes available to buy rose through January as the local housing market got off to a strong start to the year, according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey.

A net balance of 51% of respondents reported that there was an increase in new instructions to sell. This is up from last month when the balance was flat, suggesting that potential sellers had been holding off listing until the new year.

And demand is also on the rise. A net balance of 41% of NI respondents report that the number of new buyer enquiries was higher in January, which has edged up from the 35% seen in the survey previous.

NI surveyors also note that sales rose through the first month of the year with a net balance of 29% of NI respondents noting an increase in sales, up from the net balance of 10% seen in the December survey. And with demand and supply rising, unsurprisingly surveyors are more optimistic about the sales outlook. A net balance of 47% of NI respondents are expecting an uplift in sales over the next three months.

Regarding pricing, respondents to the latest survey were almost unanimous that house prices rose over the past three months. And looking ahead, a net balance of 69% expect that house prices will continue rising over the next three months.

Samuel Dickey, RICS NI Residential Spokesperson, said: “NI’s housing market started 2026 on a positive note, with indications that surveyors are optimistic for the coming months too. Respondents are reporting that more houses are coming to the market, which will be welcomed by many, given supply challenges over recent years and the imbalance we’ve seen between demand and supply. As the year progresses, we expect to continue seeing quality homes in desirable locations attracting significant interest and selling quickly.”