Real Estate and Property in Ireland

Introduction to Real Estate and Property in Ireland.

Introduction to Real Estate and Property in Ireland.

Once upon a time property in Ireland was not generally considered a worthwhile investment…

Once upon a time, before anyone had ever heard of the ‘Celtic Tiger’ and Irish nationals were emigrating away from Ireland as fast as they could in search of decent employment opportunities, it was possible to snap up real estate on the Emerald Isle for half of nothing, houses in Ireland were not generally considered a worthwhile investment.

When the Irish government began to turn things around for Ireland and started the economic boom for which Ireland has become famous in recent years, real estate prices started to spiral...upwards of course!

The Irish government begged former nationals to return home and stem the skills shortage, and they also attracted inward investment and immigration.  Real estate became big business - especially in Dublin, surrounding areas and the most popular guide book haunts such as Galway and Connemara. 

So is it still possible to make money with property in Ireland and is it still possible to find a real estate bargain?  Yes and yes!

The property market in Ireland remains strong and depending on location, location, location, it is still possible to snap up a bargain and a good investment at the same time.

It is believed that while the Dublin market is over inflated and due a correction, the rural market in Ireland has a lot of growth potential.  Real estate investors and those on a budget who wish to make Ireland home are looking at areas such as Roscommon, southern County Sligo, eastern County Mayo, and Leitrim for example.  Areas where the charm has been understated and overlooked by international guide books are your best places to start looking.

All of Ireland is beautiful - but some of Ireland is under populated and less fashionable.  These are the areas where real estate prices are still on the low side, where bargains are still possible and remain a valuable investment.

To find out more about the real estate market in Ireland it is necessary to get a feel for what the different counties have to offer.  As an individual interested in purchasing you will need to think about what you would liken to achieve from your real estate investment.  If you are looking to purchase a home for your family consider the demographics of the area you are looking to move to - does it suit the make up of your family? 

If you are looking for a long term investment opportunity, what are the likelihoods of any property boom in the area you are considering - what if anything will attract business or investment to the area which could potentially increase the worth of your investment.

Get realtors and estate agents in Ireland to send you details of sample houses in your price bracket from all the areas of Ireland they cover - investigate what you can purchase for your Euro and then visit all the areas you are interested in to get a feel for real life in Ireland and what you can expect from it. 

The Irish Auctioneers & Valuers Institute can be a good place to start as they are able to offer a reasonable indication of countrywide properties and prices.