Figures from estate agent Sherry Fitzgerald show that the average price of a second-hand property rose by 3.9% in the third quarter of this year, bringing nationwide growth for the year to date to just over 13%.
The pace of inflation in Dublin was even stronger - 5.1% in the quarter and 17.5% for the year to date.
Sherry Fitzgerald economist Marian Finnegan said the strength of the economy, low interest rates and changes to stamp duty rates in the Budget had contributed to the strong performance. She said 2005 was on course to be the strongest for a number of years for second-hand price inflation.
First-time buyers accounted for 36% of second-hand house purchases, with investors accounting for 17%. These figures were little changed compared with the same period last year.
