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Start enquiries into booking a property survey through local firms. Begin reading up on any legal or financial matters, like tax or inheritance issues, you will need to resolve as part of your move, speaking to any necessary specialists. If required, make sure to speak to a mortgage advisor so you can get pre-approval. Unsure if Brexit has affected any plans you had to move to Ireland? The check out our advice on Ireland and Brexit to find out if its still a dream you can carry on with.
If you picture yourself in that quintessential Irish seaside town, you should consider buying in Dingle. This County Kerry charmer is a tiny port town on the Dingle Peninsula in the south-west corner of the country. The area is characterised by rugged scenery, the hiking trails of the Wild Atlantic Way and sandy, sweeping beaches. You need to have a structural survey conducted on all of the buildings on the property, including any outbuildings, or those you plan on using for agriculture.
Pay for the property and move in
Attending these events is an excellent way to discover new towns and villages, to sample the best of Irish culture, and to make a few friends along the way. Highlights include the Connemara Mussel Festival, Bloom in the Park, Dalkey Lobster Festival and Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival. Ireland has 67 people per km² compared to England with 420 per km²!
The country is home to some truly beautiful towns and villages, many of which you may never have heard of. If you’re avid users of the internet, or it’s an absolute deal breaker given the fact you plan to work from home — you need to check whether you’ll have access to phone and internet coverage. Ask around for the best service providers and chat to neighbours or those in the local pub about coverage – they may be inclined to be more honest than the agent trying to sell you the property. Many of Ireland’s most expensive properties are found in and around the nation’s capital Dublin. South Dublin is the most expensive market and Sandycove is Dublin’s most expensive area, where the average property is €790,000 but some houses fetch up to €8million. Other upmarket Dublin suburbs include Foxrock, Mount Merrion, Monkstown and Blackrock, which all have average properties in excess of €750,000 (£689,000).
Don’t stress if it doesn’t come through
Also, it’s advised to opt for an estate agent who is a paid-up member of a professional association. For example, the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers . Finding someone who is a member ensures they’ve completed the necessary training, and that they uphold industry standards.
Once your offer is accepted, you should get the property checked for any defects in its condition that might affect the value. Once you’ve found a property, you need to make an offer to the seller. You don’t need to make a full mortgage application until you’ve found a property you want to buy. On a 25-year mortgage with a 2% interest rate, borrowing an extra 54k could increase your repayments by £229 a month.
What properties are excluded from the stamp duty for second homes?
This stretch of coast got its name from the copper mining industry that once dominated it, and you’ll see nods to this industrial past in eerie abandoned relics dotted along the drive. While it definitely rains in the Irish capital, it receives a lot less rain than the West Coast, with less than 800mm of rain every year. Rather than there being a particularly rainy time of year, Dublin receives showers throughout every season, but, fear not, usually a little sunshine isn’t too far behind. Temperature-wise, the average in Dublin ranges from 5⁰C in winter, to 16⁰C in summer. Unfortunately, another thing that Ireland is known for is its rain. While consistent rain might not bother everyone, if sunshine does matter, some places are better than others.
This might seem like a cost you could do without, but it is considerably less than what you’re likely to incur if you have to face repair costs later. It will not only include checking aspects of the property such as the attic, insulation, drains and services but also suggesting remedial action. The surveyor will check boundaries, planning issues and recent alterations.
The town has a great events programme, regular markets and enough pubs and restaurants to keep you entertained. The fantastic thing about Ireland is that you don’t have to venture too far out of the major towns and cities to find the rolling hills the country is so well-known for. Do of course consider where you’ll be working before you purchase your rural property. Make sure that you aren’t swapping your stressful commute in the UK for something similar in Ireland, especially if this was the one of the reasons why you wanted to escape the UK.
If you need to find a job when you move to Ireland, you will need to direct your search around the larger cities. While city life suits some, many crave the peace and quiet that village or suburban life offers. One of the many wonderful things about Ireland is the fact that it is relatively small in size, which means it doesn’t take too long to get from A to B. Here are some of the best suburban options that will allow you to commute into the city for work. For a peaceful life in an authentic Irish seaside village, Killala in County Mayo is an excellent choice. The village is located on Killala Bay, six miles from the town of Ballina.
However, if the lease extension is on your main residence you are exempt. You will notice from internet property adverts that some homes are registered with multiple estate agents in Ireland. Generally, the more agents the property is listed with, the more desperate the seller is to get it off their hands. Some listings will instruct you to get in touch with the estate agent to find out the price, others might quote different asking prices. If the asking prices differ from estate agent to estate agent, use this intel to your advantage. If it’s the fishing village lifestyle you’re after, consider Easky on Sligo’s Atlantic coastline.
Your stamp duty bill will differ depending on whether the property is your main residence or a second home. Construction standards of new properties in Ireland will usually be similar to in the US. Even if there are structural issues you discover later, most new build homes in Ireland have a 10 year HomeBond which covers major issues and obliges the builders to step in to fix problems. The outlook for 2022 remains fairly optimistic, despite pressures due to global political uncertainties and the ongoing economic impact of the pandemic.
