Buying in Newtownabbey

What you'll find

Semis and estates around Glengormley and Carnmoney, period and shore-front homes in Whiteabbey and Jordanstown, large estates in Rathcoole and Monkstown, and newer developments around Mossley and on the edges towards Ballyclare.

Who buys here

First-time buyers and young families priced out of North and South Belfast, commuters heading into the city, and people moving back to the area they grew up in.

Getting about

Whiteabbey and Jordanstown have stations on the Larne line, Mossley West is on the line to Derry, and the M2 and M5 put most of the area within a short drive of the city centre.

Mortgage points to note

• Ground rent. Many houses in Northern Ireland are held on long leases with a small yearly ground rent. Lenders are used to this, and the ground rent can usually be bought out. Your solicitor will check the lease, but it's worth knowing about before you're surprised by it.
• Former Housing Executive homes. Rathcoole and Monkstown have a lot of homes bought under the house sales scheme. Houses are fine for most lenders; flats and maisonettes have fewer takers.
• First purchases. Prices here make Co-Ownership and the first-time buyer stamp duty relief go a long way. See how Co-Ownership works.
• Shore-front homes. Houses close to the lough can carry flood designations, which lenders and insurers check. Ask early rather than after you've paid for a survey.

Nearby

See also North Belfast, Ballyclare, Carrickfergus and Antrim.