Q1 2003 new house building statistics NI 14/02/06
House-building activity in Northern Ireland saw an increase during the first quarter of 2003 according to statistics released today by NHBC (National House-Building Council).
NHBC figures for Northern Ireland, including the Isle of Man, reveal that a total of 2,649 applications were made to start new homes during the quarter, an increase of 21 per cent on the same period in 2002 (2,193).
Tom Kirk, NHBC Director for Northern Ireland, says: "The number of new homes started in Northern Ireland for the first quarter of this year shows a four percent increase on the last quarter."
In Northern Ireland the average anticipated selling price of new homes (registered with NHBC) during the first quarter of 2003 was £103,000, an eight per cent increase on quarter one 2002 (£95,000). Based on actual selling prices, the proportion of homes sold for over £100,000 was 37 per cent, an increase on the same period last year (33 per cent).
NHBC's first time buyers' ability to buy index decreased by one point during the quarter to 102 (quarter four 2002 was 103). The index is based on a formula which takes into account the average cost of homes bought by first time buyers, average income and mortgage interest rates (from the Nationwide Building Society). The higher the index, the greater the ability to buy.
UK-wide figures show a total of 48,136 applications to start new homes during the first quarter, showing a 12 per cent increase on the same period in 2002 (42,813). Of that total, 42,585 relate to private sector activity (i.e. excluding housing associations), showing an 11 per cent increase on 2002 (38,243). Housing association starts totalled 5,551 - an increase of 21 per cent on quarter one 2002 (4,570).
NHBC UK figures show there were 37,730 new build completions during the first quarter of 2003 showing a 12 per cent increase on the same quarter last year (33,642).
The figure for the average daily sales of new homes in quarter one 2003 is 512, a decrease of two per cent on the same period a year ago (525).
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