'Signs of hope' in Northern Ireland housing market

There were some encouraging signs for the Northern Ireland housing market in April, a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RCIS) survey has indicated.

Greater Belfast fared best and there were signs of more sales activity at the lower end of the market.

Spring and early summer are traditionally the optimum times for buying and selling and this has contributed to the upsurge.

However, it is predicted that prices will fall in the months ahead.

RICS housing spokesman Tom McClelland said it was a mixed picture.

"At the lower end of the market at least, there are increasing signs that asking prices and buyers' ability to borrow are more closely aligned," he said.

Derek Wilson, the head of lending products at Ulster Bank which co-authored the report, said: "We have been encouraged by the level of interest and activity that we have experienced in recent months."