5 Tips For House Hunting In Ireland

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 19 June 2019 03:30
buying a house buying a house

House hunting is stressful. It’s important to have a clear vision of what matters most to you (location, price, size, positioning etc.) to understand what you should be looking for. That being said, with so many factors to consider when deciding on your dream home, the buying process can often be monotonous and disheartening.

Don’t panic. With over 20 years’ experience in the property market, we’ve come to learn what home buyers should be prioritising when house hunting in Ireland.

 

Spend

First things first, you need to have a clear understanding of what you are willing to spend and most importantly, what you can afford. Keep an eye on market prices to get a gauge of average prices as per the property type and location you’re after. Remember, if you’re putting an offer on an older house, get an expert opinion on what additional works may cost to carry out changes to the property. Is there painting to be done, tiling required?

 

Additional costs

In addition to the purchase price of the property, there’s legal fees and other chargers to factor in too. Firstly, you’ll need a deposit sum which is payable once the offer has been accepted and contracts have been signed. Other charges include a solicitor, lenders valuation fee (if you’re getting a mortgage), stamp duty, land registry fees, surveyors and mortgage advisors (if applicable).

 

Location

Is location important to you? If so, visit the neighbourhood you’re hoping to purchase in – do you get a positive feeling in the area? Note what amenities are nearby and which are most important to you; shops, schools, sports clubs, hospital, pubs and restaurants. 

Look at estate agents in your local area to help you out by organising viewings. If for example you were to look for a house in Donegal you would probably look at contacting an estate agent in Letterkenny.

Confirm transport links and distances; check the mileage and time it will take to travel to work, school etc. It’s worth doing a trial commute during rush hour to get a gauge of traffic during busy periods.

 

Create a list

Make note and compare the various pros and cons of each property you view. Some factors to consider (depending on preference) include finishes, storage, number of bedrooms and toilets, lighting, orientation, square footage, access, parking, ambiance, location and proximity to amenities. From there, score each property out of ten to help you decipher which home aspects are most important to you and which property meets the majority of your needs. This can help to save time, eliminate unsuitable properties and refine your search further.

 

Opportunity

Can you add value to the property? Adding an extra bedroom, bathroom or conversion of the attic can greatly boost the value of your home should you decide to sell in the future. For instance, a conservatory extension doesn’t require planning permission to the back of the house so long as it doesn’t increase the original floor space by greater than 40 square meters (including any previous extensions).  

 

While competition is tough and prices are rising in the property market, clear thinking and focus throughout the house hunting process is key to finding your dream home.

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