December Sales: Why Year-End Completions Are Ireland's Worst-Kept Secret
If you've ever wondered why solicitors seem so stressed in December, here's your answer. We analysed 690,125 property sales from the Property Price Register (2012–2025) and found that December consistently dominates the calendar — accounting for 12.2% of all sales, despite being just one of twelve months.
That's 84,421 December closings over 14 years — 46% more than what you'd expect if sales were spread evenly. Year-end completions are Ireland's worst-kept secret.
The December Peak
Looking at total sales by month across 14 years, December towers above every other month. January is the quietest at 39,553 — December more than doubles it at 84,421. The ramp-up through the year is steady, but December gets a massive spike from year-end closings.
December highlighted in red. Based on 690,125 full-market-price sales, 2012–2025.
December Volume Year by Year
The December spike isn't a one-off. It shows up every single year, though its intensity varies. In 2014, December accounted for a massive 17.3% of all sales. Even in quieter years like 2022, it still hit 10.6% — always above the 8.3% you'd expect from an equal split.
December closings peaked at 7,352 in 2014. The 2020 spike reflects COVID-era catch-up completions.
December by County
The December effect isn't uniform across the country. Kildare leads with 13.9% of its annual sales happening in December — a ratio of 1.67x the average month. Commuter counties (Kildare, Louth, Meath, Wicklow) tend to have the strongest December spikes, likely driven by new-build estates completing at year-end.
| County | Dec Sales | Total Sales | Dec % | Dec Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kildare | 5,111 | 36,812 | 13.9% | 1.67x |
| Louth | 2,480 | 19,265 | 12.9% | 1.55x |
| Meath | 3,772 | 29,753 | 12.7% | 1.52x |
| Cork | 9,529 | 75,661 | 12.6% | 1.51x |
| Galway | 4,230 | 33,624 | 12.6% | 1.51x |
| Clare | 1,965 | 15,711 | 12.5% | 1.5x |
| Leitrim | 770 | 6,182 | 12.5% | 1.5x |
| Wicklow | 2,937 | 23,403 | 12.5% | 1.51x |
| Sligo | 1,267 | 10,270 | 12.3% | 1.48x |
| Carlow | 912 | 7,460 | 12.2% | 1.47x |
| Limerick | 3,151 | 25,801 | 12.2% | 1.47x |
| Monaghan | 635 | 5,185 | 12.2% | 1.47x |
| Donegal | 2,197 | 18,174 | 12.1% | 1.45x |
| Dublin | 26,209 | 217,393 | 12.1% | 1.45x |
| Laois | 1,349 | 11,229 | 12% | 1.44x |
| Offaly | 1,034 | 8,594 | 12% | 1.44x |
| Cavan | 1,248 | 10,494 | 11.9% | 1.43x |
| Kerry | 2,215 | 18,612 | 11.9% | 1.43x |
| Tipperary | 2,127 | 17,965 | 11.8% | 1.42x |
| Kilkenny | 1,237 | 10,604 | 11.7% | 1.4x |
| Longford | 667 | 5,687 | 11.7% | 1.41x |
| Westmeath | 1,503 | 13,119 | 11.5% | 1.38x |
| Wexford | 2,731 | 23,745 | 11.5% | 1.38x |
| Waterford | 2,125 | 18,710 | 11.4% | 1.36x |
| Mayo | 1,901 | 16,810 | 11.3% | 1.36x |
| Roscommon | 1,119 | 9,862 | 11.3% | 1.36x |
Dec Ratio = December volume divided by average monthly volume. Sorted by December %. If sales were evenly spread, every county would show 8.3%.
The New Builds Factor
A big part of the December spike comes down to new builds. Developers target year-end handovers to hit sales targets and recognise revenue. In December, 21.7% of sales are new builds, compared to just 16.7% during January–November. That's a 30% increase in the new-build share.
December
18,290 new / 66,127 second-hand
Jan–Nov
100,896 new / 504,773 second-hand
Why Does This Happen?
The December rush isn't random. Several forces push completions toward year-end:
- New-build handovers — Developers work to year-end targets. Completing homes before December 31st means recognising revenue in the current financial year and meeting targets for investors and lenders.
- Help to Buy deadlines — Buyers using government schemes often have application windows tied to the calendar year, creating urgency to close before the deadline.
- Mortgage approval expiry — Mortgage approvals typically last 6–12 months. Buyers who got approved in spring face a natural deadline by winter.
- Solicitor and lender deadlines — Financial institutions and legal firms push to clear their books by year-end, creating a rush of activity in the final weeks.
- The “new year, new home” effect — Buyers want to start the new year in their new home, particularly families planning around the school calendar.
The result? A predictable annual surge that solicitors, auctioneers, and anyone who's ever tried to close a sale in the last week of December knows all too well. If you're buying, be aware that December's higher prices partly reflect the mix of properties (more new builds) rather than purely higher valuations. But the competition for solicitor time and closing slots is very real.
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