Two Belfast property experts have joined forces to form Northern Ireland’s first new estate agents in a year, it was revealed today.

And despite the current economic gloom, another estate agent was also launched recently in Donegal to cover the north west of Ireland.

Bennett Lisk opened its first office at BTW Cairns’ former east Belfast branch on the Upper Newtownards Road earlier this week. BTW Cairns will now co-ordinate its east Belfast business from its North Down branch in Holywood.

And the new estate agent says he isn’t fazed by the current housing market slump, claiming local house prices have bottomed out: “In east Belfast prices have gone as low as they can go,” said Karl Bennett.

”We have had our hurt which happened very quickly here compared to Great Britain where prices have dropped by single digit figures each month.”

The new business, which employs three people, will be run by Karl Bennett, formerly of MCW Residential and David Lisk, previously of McQuitty Lisk.

The two estate agents have combined their respective portfolios of properties for sale and rent at the new east Belfast base. McQuitty Lisk’s office on Lisburn Road and Bennett Estate Agent on Connsbrook Avenue will now close.

Meanwhile, another new estate agent has set up shop in Donegal.

FASRE in Ballybofey claims to offer a one-stop-shop for everyone from house-hunters to investors covering energy assessments, mortgage and insurance services.

“We offer an innovative solution to the current stagnant property market, which is not available anywhere else in the North West, by offering a Rent2Buy option,” said FASRE manager Karol Ann Gallagher.