What on earth happened in 2016, a year that started with such promise?

The divide between markets only got wider

Somerton House in Castleknock was sold by Colliers International recently

A noticeable trend this year was the ever-widening gulf between the market and the values of city housing and its country counterpart.

In Dublin, in particular, the difference in the city market based on price and location became even more pronounced with banks indicating they are lending but in reality they are not for a variety of reasons.

Cash purchasers were responsible for up to 50 per cent of sales in the €700,000 ...