Second-Hand Housing Supply Improves but National Shortage Remains Acute

Statement by Marian Finnegan, CEO, Sherry FitzGerald Group
March 16th, 2026.

Sherry FitzGerald Research’s latest bi-annual analysis reveals that housing supply across Ireland remains critically constrained, despite an improvement in the number of second-hand homes advertised for sale in January 2026. Just 0.7% of Ireland’s private housing stock—equivalent to 14,629 properties—was listed for sale last month. Although this marks an increase of 4,250 units from the historic low recorded in January 2025, it is still far below the level required for a balanced and functioning housing market.

Current stock remains 28% lower than January 2020, when 20,332 second-hand properties (1.1% of total stock) were available.

Marian Finnegan, CEO of Sherry FitzGerald Group, underscored the significance of the ongoing supply constraints, stating: “Despite the increase over the past year, Ireland continues to face a severe structural shortage of available homes. The persistent imbalance between supply and demand is placing continued pressure on individuals and families attempting to secure suitable accommodation. Incremental improvements are welcome, but they fall far short of what is required to meet the needs of our growing population.”

In Dublin, 3,952 second-hand properties were advertised for sale in January, representing just 0.7% of the capital’s private housing stock—up from 0.5% a year earlier. While stock levels increased in all areas compared to 2025, many parts of the country continue to experience particularly acute shortages, especially beyond the main urban centres.

When compared with January 2020, several regions have experienced sharp declines in available homes for sale:

• Mid-West: –43.0%
• West: –42.0%
• South-East: –39.2%
• Border: –39.0%

These regions also recorded some of the strongest price growth in 2025, ranging from 8.1% to 11.1%, according to the Sherry FitzGerald Residential Index—further indicating that supply shortages are a key driver of ongoing price inflation.

While new housing delivery exceeded expectations in 2025—with 36,284 new homes completed—output remains substantially below Sherry FitzGerald Research’s estimated annual demand of 56,200 units. Construction activity was primarily concentrated in Dublin, the Greater Dublin Area and Cork, which together accounted for 63.7% of completions.

Analysis shows significant variation in the share of demand met across regions:

• Dublin: 84.2%
• Mid-East: 69.6%
• South-West: 61.1%
• West, Mid-West, Border, South-East: between 45% and 52%

Commenting on the regional disparities, Ms. Finnegan added: “Rural and regional Ireland continues to experience some of the most severe shortages of housing. To achieve balanced and sustainable economic growth, it is vital that new supply is delivered across the entire country—not only in our major cities. The uplift in completions in 2025 is encouraging, but all indicators will need close monitoring in 2026. Delivering new homes at scale nationwide is essential to improving choice and easing pressure on the second-hand market.”

Maximise Your Success in the September Property Market

As autumn approaches, you might be more focused on summer holidays and long, sunlit evenings than on selling your home. However, if you’re considering putting your property on the market, now is the perfect time to start preparing.

 With a little foresight and thoughtful planning, you can make sure your home catches the eye of committed buyers eager to move in before the year ends.

Why September Is the Best Time to Sell Your Property

For years, September has been an active month for property sales in Ireland. As the summer holidays wrap up, buyers return to the market with renewed focus and determination. The return of property supplements in national newspapers signals a wider surge in market activity.

Many buyers are motivated to secure their new home before the year ends, creating a valuable window of opportunity for sellers.

The Importance of Planning Ahead

Selling a property is more than simply listing it for sale. From legal documents to home presentation and marketing, starting early gives you the time and breathing room to excel—avoiding the stress of last-minute preparations.

• Your property looks its best in summer: Lush gardens, vibrant outdoor spaces, and abundant natural light help your property shine in professional photographs.
• Time to prepare properly: Small improvements—like a fresh coat of paint, home staging, or tidying up the garden—can make a remarkable difference in attracting potential buyers.
• Avoid legal delays: Appointing a solicitor early ensures your title deeds and compliance documents are in order when offers come in.
• Strategic marketing: Early planning lets you and your agent build a bespoke marketing campaign for maximum impact.

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling Your Home This Autumn

1. Market Appraisal

A qualified Sherry FitzGerald agent will visit your home, assess its strengths, and provide a realistic valuation based on current local market conditions. They’ll also discuss the best method of sale to suit your needs.

2. Appoint Your Solicitor Early

Choosing a solicitor in advance means your legal paperwork—title deeds, planning permissions, etc.—can be prepared ahead of time. This avoids delays when a buyer is ready to proceed.

3. Prepare Your Property for Market

Your agent will guide you on presenting your home at its best, from decluttering and painting to minor repairs and staging advice. First impressions count, especially when buyers see your property online before visiting in person.

4. Schedule Professional Photography

Summer’s full bloom and natural light make it the ideal time for high-quality photos. We’ll arrange the photographer and also the type of photographs they take.

5. Build a Strategic Marketing Campaign

Your Sherry FitzGerald agent will create a marketing plan combining local insight with the reach of a national network. A high quality brochure, backed up by a comprehensive online and offline campaign, will help you connect with your buyer.

6. Stay in Touch with Your Agent

Regular updates, buyer feedback, and ongoing advice from your agent will keep you informed and confident throughout the process. Your agent will manage viewings, negotiate offers, and guide you right through to completion — all backed by our exclusive online bidding platform, mySherryFitz, which gives you full transparency and real-time visibility as offers come in.

Why Selling in September Gives You an Edge

• You’re ahead of the rush—ready to launch just as buyers become active again for the new selling season.
• You meet motivated buyers—many keen to move before year-end.
• You avoid delays—by having all legal and marketing materials prepared in advance.

Local Expertise, National Reach

Choosing the right estate agent makes all the difference. At Sherry FitzGerald, our agents combine deep local knowledge with the strength of a nationwide network, ensuring your property reaches the widest pool of motivated buyers. Whether you’re in a bustling city or a peaceful rural area, we know how to position your property for success.

Final Thoughts: Make Your Move with Confidence

The September selling season brings a fresh wave of opportunity. By starting your preparations now, you give yourself the best chance to present your home in its best light, attract the right buyers, and achieve the strongest result.

•  Get started with a free market appraisal today.
•  Contact your local Sherry FitzGerald office or
• Visit www.sherryfitz.ie

Let us help you make your next move with confidence.

Q: I’m downsizing from a larger house to a smaller one but I don’t want to say goodbye to all my furniture and artwork. What can I bring with me? Helena Cousins of Zinc Interior Design offers her expert advice.

A: Bringing some favourite pieces of furniture and artwork into a new home is an excellent plan. Downsizing is exciting but it’s also a major transition and a space feels more like a home when it contains some elements from the past. 

The first step is to find out if your furniture will fit. Measure, measure, measure! Look at the available floor space, but also at the position of the windows and doors. A piece that sat comfortably under a window in one house may not fit so well in another if the sills are at a different height.

Be selective about what you chose to bring and avoid filling the rooms with chunky furniture. It will clog up the space and weigh against the feeling of making a fresh start. Pieces with slender or tapered legs tend to work better in smaller spaces, so elevate your furniture! Freeing up the floor will help create a sense of visual flow. A big heavy sofa that sits close to the ground may not work in a smaller room. If you have a suite that you love, consider keeping one of the armchairs. Likewise, if you have a set of dining chairs, keep some of them and the memories associated with them. It’s really nice to have that familiarity. 

If the new home is modern, don’t be afraid of adding some antiques to the mix. Downsizing your house doesn’t mean downsizing your style! An antique will often look better when it’s not surrounded by other antiques and you can see it in all its glory. Sometimes a skilled upcycler can help repurpose old furniture for a new home. The bottom half of an old dresser could be transformed into a vanity unit or a pair of old drawers can be repurposed to become a sideboard by adding 1950s style legs.  

If you have artwork that you love, do try to bring it with you, but consider changing its position in the home. A paitning that belonged above the mantelpiece in the old house may look better in the bedroom of the new one. Carry it around the house and let it find its place. Sometimes artworks look better in a smaller space where there is less to distract from them. The move can give them a new lease of life. Then, let those pieces be a colour reference for the new design scheme. Decorate with lighter colours and stick with neutrals for walls and curtains. Avoid overly busy patterns as they can maker smaller rooms feel cramped. Natural light makes small rooms feel bigger, so keep the window dressings minimal.

In many cases, downsizing involves moving from a house with traditional rooms into an open-plan space. You may not be used to that. Rugs are a useful way of delineating zones within a multipurpose space. For the living area, choose a rug large enough to anchor the furniture. It works better if the sofa and chairs can sit on it, rather than grouped around it. In the dining area, a flat-weave rug will be easier to clean than a deep-pile rug. Find one that echoes the shape of the table – a round rug beneath a round table – and make sure it’s big enough for all the chairs. It’s uncomfortable to sit around a table when only the front legs of the chair are resting on the rug. 

See zincid.com