The trend of earning rises lagging house prices is evident in many metropolitan areas across the globe and with cash purchases in the UK rising to a third or more of transactions — up from 10 to 15% prior to the financial crisis in 2008 according to the Financial Times — and almost 50% in Ireland in 2015, compared with about 5% in 2010, according to Savills, the estate agents, ownership will increasingly be a privilege for only above average earners.