West Cork & Cork Property Market Review 2025 and Outlook for 2026

West Cork property market 2025 trends and outlook for 2026. If you are thinking of selling your home in West Cork, Bandon, Kinsale, Clonakilty or surrounding areas, understanding how the market has performed and what lies ahead is essential. The past year was strong, but 2026 brings a more measured environment, making preparation and expert advice more important than ever.

West Cork Property Market Review 2025

A Strong Seller’s Market, With Conditions

The West Cork residential property market in 2025 was defined by one dominant trend: exceptional demand paired with very limited supply. Property prices increased by an average of 7%, with strong competition for well-located homes across Bandon, Kinsale, Clonakilty and wider West Cork.

Despite national housing challenges, the local market remained active and resilient throughout the year. Buyers continue to be drawn to West Cork for its coastal lifestyle, scenic countryside, strong communities, and convenient access to Cork City and Cork International Airport.

For homeowners considering selling, 2025 demonstrated that the right property, presented and priced correctly, could achieve an excellent result, often with multiple interested buyers and competitive bidding.

Who Is Buying Property in West Cork and County Cork?

Understanding buyer behaviour is key for sellers — and 2025 offered clear insights:

• First-time buyers were highly active, particularly for new homes and A- or B-rated properties, where government supports and green mortgage incentives apply.
• Local families and movers in towns such as Bandon and Clonakilty focused on proximity to schools, amenities and transport links.
• Overseas buyers, especially from the United States and the UK, increased significantly. Many are lifestyle-driven buyers, attracted by West Cork’s safety, climate, scenery, or see it as a long-term investment.

Political uncertainty abroad and the rise of remote working have accelerated international demand, particularly for coastal homes and country properties.

Seller takeaway: Your buyer pool may be local, national, or international. Effective marketing and strong presentation are essential.

What Type of Property Is in Highest Demand?

While demand remained strong in 2025, buyers were increasingly selective. The most sought-after homes across West Cork, Bandon, Kinsale and Clonakilty included:

• Energy-efficient homes with strong BER ratings
• Turnkey, well-presented properties
• Homes close to town centres, schools, beaches and amenities
• Coastal and lifestyle properties with outdoor space
• Properties with good access to Cork City

Homes that were poorly presented, overpriced, or required extensive work were quickly ruled out.

Seller takeaway: Early advice, realistic pricing, home staging and strong presentation consistently led to faster sales and higher prices.

Challenges Facing Sellers

One of the biggest challenges in West Cork remains the number of homeowners who must sell before buying again. According to Daft.ie, 48% of buyers fall into this category, affecting downsizers in particular. Many owners of larger family homes wish to move but are reluctant to go to market without securing a suitable alternative.

The anticipated Bank of Ireland bridging finance, expected in 2026, could help unlock supply by giving sellers more flexibility.

Another challenge is meeting higher buyer expectations. Buyers now closely scrutinise:

• BER ratings
• Property condition and layout
• Location and accessibility
• Value for money

Seller takeaway: Expert local guidance and preparation are more important than ever.

Location Still Reigns Supreme

Location remains the single biggest driver of demand across County Cork:

• Homes close to Cork City, strong transport links and good schools performed best.
• Coastal locations in Kinsale and West Cork experienced particularly strong competition.
• More remote areas with weaker accessibility saw slightly softer demand, though well-priced homes still sold.

Lifestyle is now central to buying decisions. Buyers are not just purchasing houses — they are buying space, privacy, outdoor living and quality of life.

Seller takeaway: Marketing must clearly communicate lifestyle benefits, not just square footage.

What Homeowners Should Take From the 2025 Market

The Irish, Cork and West Cork property markets remain fundamentally strong, but success is no longer automatic. Sellers who achieve the best results in 2026 are those who:

• Seek professional advice early
• Price realistically from day one
• Invest in presentation and staging
• Use high-quality digital marketing
• Understand their buyer profile

Understanding your property’s true market position is the most important first step for anyone considering selling in West Cork, Bandon, Kinsale or Clonakilty.

Outlook for 2026 property market in west cork – What Sellers Can Expect

The property market across County Cork and West Cork in 2026 is expected to remain strong, supported by continued demand and an ongoing imbalance between supply and demand. While the pace of growth has moderated following several years of rapid increases, property prices are forecast to rise by around 5%, reflecting a more sustainable market.

Improved mortgage conditions and gradually increasing housing completions are contributing to greater market stability. At the same time, buyer demand remains solid throughout Cork, particularly for turnkey, energy-efficient homes in towns and coastal areas.

As landlords continue to exit the rental market due to legislative changes, more properties may come to market at the lower end of the spectrum. While this is positive for first-time buyers, it is likely to place further pressure on the rental sector.

The introduction of bridging finance for downsizers may also help unlock supply, enabling owners of larger family homes to move without first securing another property. However, finding suitable alternative accommodation locally remains a challenge.

Coastal and lifestyle properties are expected to remain in particularly high demand from overseas buyers, supporting further price growth. West Cork’s combination of breathtaking landscapes, secure surroundings, accessibility and stable climate continues to make it highly attractive to international purchasers. Our international buyer database has played a significant role in connecting vendors with overseas buyers, with many choosing private sales of country and coastal homes.

For sellers, the key takeaway is clear: while the market remains favourable, achieving the best outcome in 2026 will depend on strategic pricing, high-quality presentation, expert local advice, and effective marketing.

Rising Interest Outside Cork City

Towns like Bandon are increasingly popular with buyers from Cork City seeking space, affordability, and lifestyle benefits. Hybrid working trends are shifting priorities toward rural and suburban locations, with property values outside the city expected to rise further.

Thinking of Selling Your Property in 2026?

If you own a coastal home, country property with land, or turnkey bungalow, now is an excellent time to start planning your sale. Early advice, strategic pricing, professional staging, and high-quality digital marketing are key to achieving top value in West Cork and County Cork.

Request a free, no-obligation property valuation today

Top Tips for Buyers and Sellers in 2026

For Buyers:

• Have proof of funds or mortgage approval ready
• Act decisively when the right property comes to market
• Be prepared for competition in West Cork’s popular areas

For Sellers:

• Prepare your property thoroughly before listing. See top tips on how to prepare your property for sale here
• Highlight energy-efficient features
• Ensure all legal paperwork is complete
• Present your home in the best possible light

Check out the video for the west cork property market review 2025 and outlook 2026

Written by Majella Galvin

BS (Hons) Real Estate | MRICS | MSCSI
Chartered Member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Majella Galvin is an award-winning Chartered Surveyor, Registered Valuer, and Director of DNG Galvin, a multi-award-winning, family-run estate agency serving Cork and West Cork for over 40 years. An award-winning industry leader, Majella serves as Vice Chair of the SCSI Residential Professional Group, is a committee member of the SCSI Southern Region, and is regularly featured in national media and podcasts, including The Irish Times, Irish Examiner, Virgin Media News, and iProperty Radio. With 17 years’ experience across residential, commercial, and agricultural property, she provides expert guidance and trusted advice to homeowners navigating the property market.

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