A new report on the property market in Dublin has found that Finglas, Swords and Rathfarnham recorded the highest volume of sales so far this year.

The study by ValueMyProperty.ie, an online tool for sale valuation and rental reports, also looked at the price and availability of three-bed semi-detached homes in the most sought-after areas of the capital.

Between January and June this year, the report found that there were 111 sales in Finglas, making the Dublin 11 area the most popular place to buy a home in Dublin so far this year. The findings, based on Property Price Register transactions, reflect a huge growth in popularity in this area, with sales for the first six months of the year up 79 per cent on the same period of 2010.

Other popular areas include Swords (93), Rathfarnham (88), Dun Laoghaire (80), Blackrock and Terenure (both 76) and Malahide (73).

The report also looked at the number of three-bed semi-detached houses on the market in Dublin and their average asking prices.

The majority of three-bed houses in Rathfarnham, the report states, have a price tag in the region of €450,000, while in Malahide there were 14 houses in the €400,000 price bracket and 12 in the €450,000 range.

The popularity of Finglas may be attributed to its value at present with the vast majority of three-beds there coming in around €200,000.

Meanwhile, Dun Laoghaire and Drumcondra saw the majority of three-beds for sale with a €400,000 asking price.

Tim Kelly of ValueMyProperty said these figures showed there was still a stock issue in the capital.

“The problem is there aren’t enough properties available to meet the demand, which is driving up prices. Young families may have to give up the dream of buying a three-bed semi,” he said.