What you'll find
Terraces off the Falls Road and Springfield Road, semis and estates around Andersonstown, the Glen Road and Suffolk, and a large share of former Housing Executive homes. Newer developments have gone up at Lagmore, along the Stewartstown Road and the upper Glen Road, and out towards Twinbrook, Poleglass and Dunmurry.
Who buys here
First-time buyers from the area who want to stay close to family, growing families moving into new builds, and people working at the Royal Victoria Hospital, in the city centre or along the M1 corridor.
Getting about
The Glider runs from McKinstry Roundabout on the Stewartstown Road along the Falls Road into the city centre, and the M1 is close to most of the area. Dunmurry has a station on the Belfast to Lisburn line.
Mortgage points to note
- Former Housing Executive homes. Houses bought under the house sales scheme are ordinary security for most lenders. Flats and maisonettes in former Housing Executive blocks narrow the choice, and some lenders look at the share of homes in a block still rented out.
- Small deposits. With prices lower than most of the city, a 5% deposit goes further here. 95% mortgages exist, and Co-Ownership can reduce the deposit and the loan further. See how Co-Ownership works.
- New builds. Developers' incentives and reservation fees are common on the new sites. Lenders cap how much incentive they accept before it reduces the valuation, and an offer usually lasts six months, which matters if the build slips.
- Non-standard construction. Some older estates include concrete or steel-framed houses. They can be lendable, but check before paying for a survey.
Nearby
See also North Belfast, South Belfast and Lisburn.
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