Posted: Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Moving House in Northern Ireland: Lurgan and Craigavon

According to Julie McCrory, Director at Kingham Property Specialists, now is a good time to consider buying a property in Lurgan and Craigavon. Firstly, the current real estate market conditions favour buyers, with competitive prices throughout Lurgan & Craigavon offering better value for money. Secondly, Lurgan and Craigavon have seen recent growth and development, making it an attractive area to live in. With improved infrastructure, amenities, and transportation links, the area is becoming increasingly desirable for both residents and investors.

 

Additionally, the leisure and recreational facilities in the area are fantastic, between natural award-winning beauty locations such as Lurgan Park, Craigavon lakes and Oxford Island just to name a few as well as Northern Irelands newest leisure centre at South Lake offering sports inside and outside, something to suits everyone’s needs. Lastly, when purchasing a home, buyers should want to take advantage of the of familiarity and community spirit that surrounds the towns and villages making the transition into a new home smoother and provide a sense of belonging.

 

Lurgan and Craigavon

Lurgan is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, near the southern shore of Lough Neagh. Lurgan is about 18 miles south-west of Belfast and is linked to the city by both the M1 motorway and the Belfast–Dublin railway line. Lurgan Park is Northern Ireland's largest urban park, the second largest public park in Ireland after Phoenix Park in Dublin. Located around an expansive man made lake, it has 5 km of pathways through mature woodland and open grassland.  The Park was once part of the Brownlow estate and is still overlooked by Brownlow Castle today. The Park is over 250 acres in size and boosts many paths for walking, a super play area and large green spaces. The majestic Coalbrookdale Fountain takes pride of place at the top of the main avenue in the park and is always a focal point for young and old. Made of cast iron this fountain is one of the remaining four of its type left in the world.

 

Oxford Island is a designated National Nature Reserve situated on the peninsula in the southern shores of Lough Neagh.  From four miles of absorbing woodland trails to bird watching hides, unique boglands, rich wildflower strewn meadows and wildlife ponds, become immersed in the panoramic views of this stunning setting. Learn fascinating facts about the protection and enhancement of the natural environment, including local history and heritage. With an educational Discovery Centre featuring a delightful restaurant and artisan craft shop, this tranquil paradise is truly inspirational.

 

Tannaghmore Gardens is one of the major attractions of Craigavon City Park is Tannaghmore Gardens, centred on ‘Fairview House’, a listed Georgian Farmhouse dating from the late 18th Century.  The gardens are a popular venue for outings and family visits. The animal farm offers close encounters with many animals traditionally found on farms in Ulster 100 years ago. Many of these breeds are now rare and close to extinction; they include Irish Moiled Cattle, Dexter Cattle, Galway Sheep, Saddleback Pigs and a wide range of Poultry. Guided farm tours are a speciality. Within the gardens there are 17 different styles of traditional gates, named after local townlands.

 

Craigavon Golf and Ski Centre is set in beautiful wooded surroundings near the shores of Lough Neagh. It boasts a premier outdoor 300ft dendex artificial ski slope, pona tow lift on the main slope, beginners nursery slope area and snowtubing slope. Suitable for both beginners, advanced skiers and snow boarders, the centre offers lessons, coaching, equipment hire and children’s parties. Get some pre-ski season practice and brush up on your skills on these year-round slopes.

 

Lurgan and Craigavon Property Market

Kingham Property Specialists

Kingham Property Specialists, an esteemed estate agency established in 1984, and taking over by Julie McCrory in 2006 stands as a beacon of trust and reliability in the local real estate market of Lurgan and Craigavon. With an unparalleled reputation for exceptional customer service and an extensive knowledge of the area, this independent firm has been the go-to choice for those seeking assistance with buying, selling, letting, or renting properties.

 

Julie McCrory comments, "One of the key highlights for our office recently is the agency's recent successful launch of the third phase in a new housing development. This event took place at the end of September, and it created quite a buzz. An impressive 95% of the properties in this development were snapped up within the first week, indicating a robust demand for well-priced, quality homes. This achievement is a testament to the local market's resilience, despite media reports that might suggest otherwise. As a team we were ecstatic to bring home our fifth ESTAS Award for Northern Ireland from the London award ceremony, this was our defining moment of 2023 for our small team of ladies. 

 

While it's true throughout 2023 the number of buyers in the market may not have been as abundant as in previous years, the tide seems to have turned with high number of viewings and offers coming in over the past few weeks, and us achieving record number of sale agreed for December and we are only half way through the month. We are still finding that clients desire the dream of living in detached homes in the countryside, which first made high demand during the Covid era, and buyers are still placing a greater emphasis on location and property quality.

 

Encouragingly, the local market is experiencing a boost in confidence among first-time buyers. The stabilisation of mortgage rates with lenders starting to compete with offering better deals has contributed to this positive trend. This bodes well for the long-term health of the property market, as it suggests a renewed interest in homeownership, which is often seen as a significant milestone in people's lives. In the current market climate, the agency reports an average time on sale or let of approximately four weeks. This relatively short duration signifies a dynamic and responsive market. The average residential rental price stands at £650, while the average commercial rental price is £1,000, demonstrating the diversity of the local property landscape.

 

Over the past four weeks, the agency has successfully moved 27 clients into their new homes, with 18 properties achieving sales agreements, with an additional 6 residential lettings and 3 commercial lettings. These numbers reflect a steady level of activity and point to a market that remains engaged and vibrant, despite the evolving challenges. We envisage low stock levels to be a re-occurring issue again for 2024 for all agents in our local area, we have been sharpening up our skills and getting more creative with inhouse practices so that we are primed and ready to start the year off with enthusiasm, energy and a positive mindset.

 

In conclusion, Lurgan and Craigavon's property market, guided by my dedicated team at Kingham Property Specialists, exhibits resilience and adaptability. With a strong commitment to delivering top-notch service and a keen eye on market dynamics, our agency continues to thrive and support clients in achieving our property goals, even in the face of changing market conditions. Regardless of market fluctuations, there are always individuals and families seeking new homes, and it's the persistence and dedication of firms like Kingham Property Specialists that help bring these transactions to fruition."

 

Contact us

If you are seeking to know more about property in Northern Ireland, search for properties in Lurgan and Craigavon or get in touch with Julie McCrory at Kingham Property Specialists.

 

 

 

Looking to buy?

Looking to buy?

We'd love to help you on your journey home.
Don't miss out on on the latest properties by registering for our property alerts.

Register with us today

Read What Our
Customers Say

I can't speak more highly of the team at Homesearch. When I met Michael to discuss the sale of my home instantly from that meeting, I could tell how knowledgeable they were. From that moment until closing, everything went absolutely flawless. This experience of selling went without a hitch with them giving great tips on preparing my home for viewings. Thank you. I really appreciate all your help during this process. I highly recommend Homesearch to any person who is looking to sell their home or buy a new home.

Loretta Barrett, Seller

I started with two very well known real estates, but I hated it. I was simply another number to them and I didn't feel they were honest and transparent. With HomeSearch I felt comfortable that they were on my side and they were always available to help. The process is hard enough, so having a team who supports you can make such a difference. Highly recommend.

Arian Barvarz, Seller

The reason we chose Homesearch to sell our property was that we liked the straightforward, no-nonsense approach of both Anna and Michael. They gave an honest appraisal of our property and a clear idea of what we could expect to sell it for. In fact, the offer we accepted exceeded our expectations. The sale took longer than we would have liked, due to delays caused by the buyers' solicitor, but Michael was tenacious and must have worn his phone out keeping everyone informed of progress.

Nicola Watson, Seller

Homesearch are hands down the best agent I have ever worked with ! The team helped me in an extremely complex sale. Without the knowledge and experience of the whole team, my sale would not have completed. I dont normally write reviews, only when they are truly deserved. An exceptional team! Very kind and personable, reliable & trustworthy.

Leslie John, Seller

My experience with Homesearch is that they are professional, friendly and go above and beyond to ensure that something stressful like selling a house runs as smoothly and stress free as possible. They work hard to get the results and have kept me updated throughout the process. I honestly could not recommend them enough, they are easily the best company I’ve dealt with in the buying/selling houses field. And to top it all off, they always answer the phone in the most pleasant tone and always provide service with a smile.

Chanelle Hunte, Seller

Homesearch are PROFESSIONALS. I sold my property through Homesearch and I have not dealt with a more competent agency. Every single person  dealt with knew exactly what they were talking about and I can tell that they all have knowledge in the industry and were not just picked up from the street. From the get go I was impressed and I will certainly do business with them again.

Paul Hobbs, Seller

Many thanks Homesearch for locating professional corporate tenants for my property. I am very happy with your property management service as you always ensure that the tenants give the property back in good order at check out. Five Stars!

Maria Foran, Landlord

I have been absolutely delighted with the exceptional service I have received from Homesearch. They have removed all the stress & hassle of renting my property and dealt with all manner of situations I would have struggled with in such a professional & courteous manner. They give valuable unbiased advice with such a wealth of experience. Nothing is ever too much trouble for the staff, who are always friendly & helpful. Homesearch let and managed my property and I am very happy with their property management services, they are very knowledgeable.

Paula Carter, Landlord

Homesearch always do what they say they will do. They are efficient and raise any issues early and provide options to resolve them. Homesearch is very  easy to get hold of and talk to, no matter where I am in the world! My property is well looked after, regarding tradesmen, replacement of items swiftly etc. with the minimum of fuss.

David Connells, Landlord

From our first viewing right through to the present, Home Search were brilliant. They helped make the whole process quick and stress free and even now we are in and settled, they are still happy to assist us with any queries we may have. We couldn't recommend them highly enough.

Julie Maney

Home Search helped us move into our new flat smoothly and Tim was always happy to provide help to put our nerves at ease. Arranging a viewing was easy and Home Search were happy to open after hours for us to sign the paperwork. They were very helpful and often would offer to help! Having moved in we received a lovely card and they have always been swift in communicating with Usif we have any questions. Would recommend it.

Will Houghton

Michael and his team were simply amazing!! They helped us to find the perfect house, offering a nice and attentive service from the beginning through to the end. Thank you so much!! 5 stars service. Highly recommended!!!

Giordana Sicali

Very helpful and friendly staff. Tim, Michael and the team Made the whole renting experience easier.

Amol Sinare

I had a very difficult situation as I did not have a guarantor and my dad was earning enough but was not a homeowner. It took a about 3 weeks but Michael sorted it all out in the end and my dad became my guarantor. I got a lovely home and all the staff were very helpful including Paris, Zainab and Tim. Thank you all very much! Would recommend them to anyone

Misti Chakraborty

On behalf of myself, Noa & Niamh, we would like to start off by saying a massive thank you for the amazing service Home Search Ltd provided us with, especially highlighting the work of Clorissa. Within a week we were able to sign, seal and move into the property that we looked at, all down to Clorissa's prompt and effective work ethic, which allowed us a smooth transition from one property to another, without her, this move would not of been possible to have happened within the time stamp that it did. We are very grateful for the work that was done by Home Search Ltd, highly recommend.

Lewis Francis
How Much is Your Property Worth?

Expert Valuation

We always come armed with evidence and statistics of why we are pricing your property a certain way. We know the importance of getting the initial price of your property right, first time. With our extensive experience we will also explain current market conditions as we want to get our sellers the best price.

What's more, get a free gift with your free expert valuation with one of our experienced Valuer's.

Book a Valuation