6 top tips for buying a home in Ireland

The Irish property market is not for the feint-hearted, even when you’re already living in Ireland. If you’re an expat returning to Ireland after living abroad or a new arrival, the trick to buying a home is to start as early as possible. NexVentur has partnered with property buying consultants, Emerald Sage, to help home buyers navigate the Irish property market. Follow these top tips to get on the property ladder in Ireland.

1. Start the process of buying a home early

The process of purchasing a home in Ireland is slow, by comparison to many other countries. There are lots of reasons for this, such as mortgage applications, solicitors, searches, negotiations and unforeseen hold-ups. Start the process early.
Renting is effectively paying someone else’s mortgage, so you’ll want to get on the Irish property ladder as soon as possible. High rental costs and the slow buying process are part of the reality of the Irish housing market. Try to buy your home before returning to Ireland to avoid renting or staying with family for 12–18 months (or more) because of delays in the buying process.

2. Workplace probation periods slow the home-buying process

Most mortgage lenders require you to have completed your probation period (6 months on average) in your new job before applying for a mortgage. You can use your employment abroad to cover this while you’re still employed there.

3. The Irish mortgage approval process takes time

Have all your banking ducks in a row. It takes two to three weeks to get mortgage approval if your bank accounts are in perfect order, or up to six months if you haven’t been demonstrating your savings clearly or have debts to clear.

4. Finding the right home and winning the bid

Be aware that the high demand for property in Ireland means it can take months to find a place that suits your needs and budget. Experts say typically it takes 2–4 months to find a place you would like to purchase. It can take even longer if you are looking for something very specific. From there, the process of bidding and buying takes more time and a lot of paperwork.

5. Allow for a lengthy conveyancing in Ireland

The legal process of buying a home is called conveyancing. This is handled by solicitors and it’s important to bear in mind that this can be very slow in Ireland. It takes four to six months to finalise the purchase, or longer if the property is in probate, or there is an issue with the legal paperwork.

6. Enlist a consultancy to get a head start on buying a home in Ireland

To get a head start on the long purchasing process, NexVentur has partnered with Emerald Sage. The company will help you start the process before you move, so you can secure a home faster and settle in smoothly. Having a home ready when you return makes the transition much easier, reducing stress and helping you get back into Irish life quickly.

Of course, you can’t be jumping on a plane every time you spot a pad on Daft.ie that looks good, so enlisting a property buying consultancy makes it easier as they do the legwork for you. These are the ways you could benefit:

1. Find your home before you return from abroad: Emerald Sage will begin the search while you’re still abroad, giving you a head start.
2. Get better properties for your budget: With expert knowledge and strong industry connections, a property buying consultancy will often find higher-quality or better-value homes than buyers might find on their own.
3. Have someone view properties on your behalf: Property consultants attend unlimited viewings of properties that meet your brief, sending you detailed feedback on each one.
4. Save time and effort: Your consultants handle emails, calls, and admin, cutting out many hours of work and bridging challenging time zones.
5. Research and compare properties: Your consultants analyse property values and locations, providing pros and cons lists for each home on your radar.
6. Get expert negotiation guidance: Negotiating to buy a home in Ireland is a skill. A property buying consultant can help you secure the best price and avoid costly mistakes.
7. Tap into a trusted network of experts: Emerald Sage can put you in touch with their expert partners such as solicitors and surveyors. If you’re looking for home insurance, remember NexVentur partners with Hastings to give an excellent service on home and car insurance at competitive prices.

By planning ahead, you avoid unnecessary delays, reduce rental costs, and move into your new home sooner. To make use of Emerald Sage services or those of any of NexVentur’s partners, fill in the form below and we’ll introduce you.

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• Recruitment in Ireland and Australia
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• Assisting with professional registrations
• Flights with extra baggage, priority boarding and lounge access
• Setting up your overseas bank account
• Setting up your Australian Tax File Number (TFN) or PPS number
• Money transfer
• Irish mortgages
• Assisting with move logistics
• Relocation advice – all members of our team have relocated at least once in our lives, so we know how it feels and the challenges you face.
• Book a consultation with our team and let’s help you get started on your next adventure.