Mandy B. Says:
What kind of houses are available in Ireland? What do I need to know about buying a house there?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Mandy,
The majority of Irish people live in modern properties—either an apartment or a house in the city. Other options include a bungalow or large farmhouse-style home in the countryside.
If your idyllic Irish home is a traditional whitewashed cottage, topped with thatch, and sitting on its own emerald green acre, you’ll still find those type of properties, too. Just like you will find period mansions clad in ivy and wisteria, charming old rectories, and even castles groaning with centuries of history.
Most properties in Ireland are bought and sold through the “private treaty” method. Vendors and buyers are matched together by a real estate agent— here they’re usually called “estate agents.”
Some estate agents may have the title “Auctioneers & Valuers” above their premises, but don’t jump to the conclusion that all the properties they handle are sold by auction. Property auctioneers invariably have a cache of “private treaty” sales too.
Re-Max and Coldwell Banker will be familiar brands for many North Americans, however neither has managed to establish much of a presence nationally. The largest grouping is the Sherry Fitzgerald franchise, with over 100 offices. Douglas Newman Good and Property Partners are other local options.
Property portals, catering for sales and rentals have also grown substantially and provide the best starting point for a search of what’s available nationally. Two of the largest are Daft and Myhome.
You will not have to pay an agent large sums of money simply for the privilege of selling you a property. In Ireland, they earn their money by charging the vendor a commission. This is generally 2% of the sale price plus VAT (sales tax) of 23%.
Many estate agents handle rentals too, if you wish to rent for six months to a year before committing to a purchase.
One thing to keep in mind: Ireland is currently going through a housing shortage, and the supply for both sales and rentals is quite limited, driving prices higher. So, be sure to plan plenty of time to search for your ideal new home, and be prepared for high prices—especially in cities such as Dublin, Galway, and Cork.
Read more about buying property in Ireland here.
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