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Property firm sheds over 30 jobs Property firm sheds over 30 jobs
(about 2 hours later)
A leading Northern Ireland estate agency has laid off more than 30 members of staff.A leading Northern Ireland estate agency has laid off more than 30 members of staff.
BBC News has learned there were a total of 32 redundancies across the McAfee Properties and Mortgages group at the end of last month. BBC News has learned there was a total of 32 redundancies across the McAfee Properties and Mortgages group at the end of last month.
McAfee has several offices along the north coast as well as in Antrim and Ballymena.McAfee has several offices along the north coast as well as in Antrim and Ballymena.
The job loses are being seen as further proof of the downturn in Northern Ireland's property market. The job losses are being seen as further proof of the downturn in Northern Ireland's property market.
Partner Mark Pollock said he was confident the company, which still emplys approximately 75 people, would "be rehiring when the market picks up". Partner Mark Pollock said he was confident the company, which still employs approximately 75 people, would "be rehiring when the market picks up".
"There's just no confidence at the moment, but we looking forward to the New Year," he added. "There's just no confidence at the moment, but we are looking forward to the New Year," he added.
"This wasn't about getting rid of people, it was about safeguarding as many jobs as possible.""This wasn't about getting rid of people, it was about safeguarding as many jobs as possible."
On Thursday, it emerged that the average house in Northern Ireland now costs more than £250,000, according to the latest survey.On Thursday, it emerged that the average house in Northern Ireland now costs more than £250,000, according to the latest survey.
However, the University of Ulster quarterly house price index survey showed growth had slowed considerably and sales had fallen sharply.However, the University of Ulster quarterly house price index survey showed growth had slowed considerably and sales had fallen sharply.