Irish house prices at moment?

[simon e]

Hi all,

It looks like I've sold my flat here in London and will be moving home to Greystones in Co. Wicklow in the next month or two. I plan to buy a small place there, less than 400k euro and just wanted to check if houses are going for the asking prices in general or are people accepting offers. I know there was a big slow down before the budget at the end of the year but does anyone have any experience of buying or selling a house in the last few months? I'm just trying to get a feel for the Irish market.

Cheers

Simon

[simon e]

Thanks, yeh I'm on that site every day and others such as www.daft.ie

I've actually found a house on the net thats up for 410k that would do the job, its just that 410k is a little rich for me at the mo.......

[simon e]

Thanks for your viewpoint Ballcock, its the same as what the guy at the EBS and local estate agents have being telling me. I'm just in the middle of all the legal stuff with my sale in London but as soon as thats sorted I will start making offers. My parents live in Greystones so they can view properties for me. I guess it can't hurt to make an offer, it all depends on the seller's situation.

Cheers

Simon

[simon e]

Thanks all for the info! It looks like I have nothing to loose by making a silly offer on a property. My mother is pushing me to start making offers even though my London sale has not been completed yet. I thought it might be a bit cheeky making offers when I'm not in a position to move just yet.

THe property forum makes interesting reading. I phoned my Irish solicitor last night to ask him to do the conveyancing for my Irish prurchase, he mentioned that the investor market has completely dried up and that he is dealing with the odd private purchase. He feels that the market is going to drop with a hard rather than soft landing. He also mentioned that the upcoming general election will not help matters as buyers will wait to see if there will be any stamp duty changes promised by the different parties. It looks like its a good time to come back to Ireland looking to buy a house. Like anyone I don't want to pay over the odds. I'll keep you informed of what happens over the next few months.

Cheers

Simon

Edited by simon e on Wednesday 10th January 08:22

[Simon E]

Well I've gone and done it, put a deposit down on a new house this week in Rathdrum Co. Wicklow. After looking at house prices in Greystones and Delgany I just couldn't part with the silly money they were asking for shoeboxes and also the 30k stamp duty was another big turn off.

I'm getting a new 3 bed semi just outside Rathdrum on the Laragh road for 370k. I know some people will say you should wait and see what happens this year with the property market but I'm in this for the long haul, to get a home for a good few years rather than looking at it as an investment.

Lovely roads out there for driving and cycling and only an hour to Dublin airport early in the morning or late in the evening.

(I find myself looking at kitchen appliance websites as well as car ones now!)

Cheerio

Simon

[simon e]

Yeh I wasn't sure if I should wait until the end of 2007 to see what happened with the property bubble or take the plunge. I decided to buy as I really don't plan on moving again for a good few years (although my record is 3 houses and 7 cars in the last 3 years!!!) I'm not looking at the house as an investment, more as a home, well I hope it feels like home!!!