The British government have imposed an all out building ban in Northern Ireland and if it stays in place the property prices are going to shoot up. But it's expected that if the NI Assembly gets their act together and is reformed the new rules will be shot down. A friend of mine bought a house in Enniskillen, Co Fermangh, and had a bit of trouble renting it out. Not much mind, it was empty for a month or two but he got Polish people in. That particular area can be a bit hit and miss - but it's seriously cheap and has the advantage of a local college and a hospital.