Property
Mortgages are becoming more affordable for first-time buyers
Average first-time buyer couples in Galway require just under 14% of their disposable income to fund a mortgage, new research has found.
According to the latest EBS Affordability Index shows that nationally, the proportion of disposable income required to fund a mortgage for the average first-time buyer working couple dropped to 19.5% in April 2015.
This is down from 20.6% last October due to a drop in house prices in the opening months of this year.
In Cork and Galway, the figure stands at 14.4% and 13.4% respectively. Longford is the most affordable county in Ireland to buy a home, with a couple requiring only 6.9% of their net income to fund their mortgage.
“The situation has improved dramatically since 2006, when an average FTB couple needed 26.4% of their net income to fund their mortgage, as property prices peaked,” the report reads.
The index shows a noticeable difference between the Dublin housing market and the rest of the country.
In Dublin, a FTB working couple currently requires 22.6% of earnings to fund their mortgage, down from 24.3% in October 2014. A further improvement in Dublin affordability is forecast to 22.1% in June.
The research also ranks counties in terms of housing affordability. Outside of Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare are the least affordable counties, where a FTB couple requires 21.6% and 21.1% of their respective net incomes to fund their mortgage repayments.
Director at DKM Economic Consultants, Annette Hughes, said: “The benefit of the Affordability Index is that it captures monthly changes in house prices and the other determinants of affordability.
“With the volatile changes in house prices in the opening months of 2015, the positive and negative swings in affordability can be clearly seen.
“The recent upturn in house price in March is probably not surprising given that the market continues to be characterised by pent-up demand, a supply shortage, rising rents and new lending regulations,” she said.
EBS Head of Mortgages, Conal Clerkin said: “The research forecasts that affordability across the first-time buyer market will have further improved in the three months to June.”
O’Donnellan and Joyce are handling the sale of a large four-bed detached property located in Shangort Park, Knocknacarra, in Galway.
Located just off Shangort Road, Number 11 was constructed in the early 2000s.
It is a small, quiet development comprised of a mixture or detached and semi-detached homes finished to the highest of standards and overlooking a large green area.
In terms of location, this property has all that one would require and is ideally located within a short walk of quality local schools such as Gaelscoil Mhic Ahmlaigh, Knocknacarra National School and Colaiste Na Coiribe.
An abundance of amenities include the Gateway Shopping Park (B&Q) and Tesco. There are a number of ample green spaces and playing fields close by such as McGrath’s Field, Cappagh Park and Millars Lane.
The property is also located just minutes from the stunning surroundings of Rusheen Bay and Rusheen Woods and the area also boasts a wealth of local amenities.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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Property firm iamsold, whose online bidding and auction platform is used by more 300 auctioneers across Ireland, is continuing to take entries for its 2023 auctions with the next dates scheduled for May 18, June 22 and July 20.
Shane May, Sales Manager for iamsold said: “Previous years have shown the May to July period is particularly strong for selling residential and commercial property. We have an excellent variety of properties currently on offer, and we are finding that there is an ongoing appetite for realistically priced property throughout the country. Our partner auctioneers have been kept busy as requests for viewings remain high.”
Among the properties for sale at the moment are:
Sky Road, Clifden. This is a two-bed property described as “character filled” set in a wonderful holiday location.
This is a traditional cottage which has been cleverly extended to retain its character with a modern living interior. The focal point is the extended living area with full and uninterrupted views over Kingstown Bay. The property is offered at bids over €525,000 and for sale by Sherry FitzGerald Mangan.
Main Street, Headford. Currently the property comprises two buildings, one of which was a public house, whilst the other was a private dwelling. Subject to planning, there is potential to extend to the rear of the property and create multiple units which could potentially provide 2 x 2 bed apartments, along with 3 x 1 bed apartments and could be eligible for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, offering between €30,000 and €50,000 towards the renovations. The property is offered at bids over €145,000 and for sale by Michelle Burke Estate Agents.
For more information on the auction, call 091 882121 or visit iamsold.ie
DNG Martin O’Connor Land Sales are holding an online auction on May 11, where two lots of land in Letterfrack will go under the hammer.
The first lot is an opportunity to acquire a cottage with shed ruins on 4.34ha (10.72 acres) of top-quality land at Attirowerty. Enjoying incredible views in all direction, this land is one of the most outstanding opportunities to acquire a lovely holding of meticulously maintained farmland in the Connemara region in many years.
Bordering the Traheen River, the cottage – dating back to the 1800s – is a traditional stone built property under a galvanised roof laid out in two rooms with open fireplaces in each room. Across the yard there are the ruins of a large shed which could be renovated.
Looking south the cottage enjoys views of Ballinakill Bay, Tully Hill and Letter Hill to the west whilst to the north Diamond Hill and the Mweelrea mountains with many more hills of south Mayo are visible in the distance.
Fully enclosed by stonewalls and concrete post with wire fencing, the land laid out in three large sections provides excellent grazing with a cattle holding yard and cattle crush.
The land is suited for all types of livestock grazing with cattle farming been the main enterprise over the years on the holding. Due to its excellent order the land would be the perfect location for breeding Connemara ponies and also ideal for holding sheep due to its field system and good boundaries.
The property presents itself as an excellent proportion for those looking for a cottage hideaway that they can renovate to their own style in this scenic part of Ireland with a wonderful atmosphere surrounding it. The lands are ideally suited to existing landowners looking to expand or those looking to set up a small holding centrally located between Clifden and Letterfrack.
Lot 2, consisting of commonage lands in three sections at Attirowerty and Baunoge, amounts to 25.5 acres and is also for sale by online auction on the day.
For further information, contact DNG Martin O’Connor on 091 866708.
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