Buy of the week this week is a 3 bed townhouse located in Station Court, Gorey for €199,500!

Station court is a new development of one, two & three bedroom apartments, three bedroom duplex units and two & three bedroom townhouses which is location only a stones throw to Gorey Main Street and the recently opened Gorey shopping centre.

Not only is the property span new, with all mod cons and in walk in condition but the property is located virtually adjacent to Gorey train station and the N11 making location ‘king’ and one of the main selling points. With quick and easy access to Dublin City by both rail and road, Station Court has become a great commuter town of Dublin.

• Take a closer look at Station Court, Gorey, Co. Wexford

This week’s 3 properties for X amount are located in the sunny southeast county of Wexford. All properties are on sale for €150,000.

1. First up is a 3 bed detached in Beechbrook Park in Killmuckridge. Location is key here with the main ‘wins’ of the property being its easy access to the N11 motorway, within walking distance of Killmuckridge village and its close proximity to the very popular beach of Morriscastle.
   Take a closer look at Beechbrook Park, Killmuckridge, Wexford


2. Second in our trio line up is St Johns, a charming ivy clad two story 4 bed detached house in Kilcarbry, Enniscorthy. This property which was built in circa 1840 possess great character and is situated in a beautiful scenic location, less than five minutes drive to Enniscorthy town and nearby Kilcarbry mill. Features of the property include; a small enclosed court yard to rear with garages and useful out buildings, an elevated garden extending to approx 0.5 acres and near to Boro river, noted for its excellent fishing.
   Take a closer look at St. Johns, Kilcarbry, Enniscorthy


3. Our number three property this week for €1500,000 is a 2 bed terraced property situated in Alder Court Estate, in the historic village of Ferns. Number 19 Alder Court is finished to a high spec both internally and externally. The brochure describes the design of the property as "Intelligent use of space and light, attention to detail and meticulous planning combine to create a very individual living space"… sounds impressive! The property is also located close to Ferns centre and is only a stones throw from the village's local shops, pubs, restaurants, schools etc and the Gorey bypass.
   Take a closer look at 19 Alder Court, Ferns

This week’s 3 properties for X amount are located in Co. Westmeath. All properties are semi detached and come in under the €135,000 mark. Not only that but they are all in commuter distance to Dublin. But if commuting isn’t an issue for you these properties are still good value for money and definately worth a look.

1. The first property is a 3 bed newly built property finished to a very high specification and located in a small residential development. The property comes with an plethora of features including; a fully fitted kitchen, marble fireplace, stone feature entrance, pillars & walls, a tarmacadamed driveway, landscaped garden with boundary fences, trees & shrubbery AND a 10 year home bond guarantee. Take a closer look at Kings Court, Castlepollard


2. The second property also a 3 bed semi detached house has recently reduced its price to sell and is now currently on the market for an amazing €124,000. The house is quite modern, has a fitted kitchen and is within walking distance of Mullingar town centre. Take a closer look at 177 Ashefield, Mullingar


3. Last but not least is our third property for €135,000. Located in Athlone town, just off the main Dublin Road, is this 4 bed property AND self contained apartment. This property could be an excellent investment property as the house is only a 5 minute walk to Athlone Institute of Technology! The present owner has refurbished this property to a high standard with modern fixtures & fittings installed in both residences. Take a closer look at  30 Alverno Drive, Willow Park, Athlone

Buy of the week this week is a 4 bed semi detached located just 5 miles from Longford Town Centre which is on the market for the very small sum of €135, 000!

This property is part of the Cluain Na Sibhe development which includes a small number of detached and semi detached houses nestled in the picturesque village of Killashee.

The property itself comprises of an entrance hall, sitting room, kitchen / dining area, utility, downstairs WC, no less that 4 bedrooms, 1 ensuite, and one main bathroom. The property is spacious, tastefully decorated and in impeccable condition and also comes with fitted quality hardwood doors and uPVC Double Glazed Windows. Not only that but all of the property’s current contents are negotiable in the selling price!

• Take a closer look at 17 Cluain Na Sibhe, Killashee, Co. Longford

Buy of the week this week is a 4 bed semi detached located in Navan, Co. Meath for the reasonably priced and small sum of €209,500!

Not only does this super priced property include a high degree of insulation, comes fully alarmed and has gas fired central heating, but its location is definately an added bonus, just off the Dublin Road, beside Navan Tennis and Rugby Clubs. The house also has Homebond 10 year guarantee.

• Take a closer look 60 Oakleigh, Navan, Co. Meath

President of the IAVI Aine Myler and MyHome.ie Paul Murgatroyd discussed whether we are at the bottom of the property price market on TV3s Morning Ireland.

A recent IAVI survey reported that residential property values had fallen by 20% on average in 2009. It also suggested that the market has bottomed out and values would not fall any further. Paul Murgatroyd said while there is more value to had in the market now, asking prices are still falling. However, there are signs of stabilisation in certain areas and activity in the market has improved with the number of enquiries by potential buyers doubling in the months.

• Rock bottom property on Morning Ireland, TV3

Northern Cross, a new development located just off the Malahide road is offering potential punters the option of the rent to buy scheme. If you have missed all the hype and gossip about rent to buy scheme here is a little summary of what it is and why it’s a pretty clever.

The rent to buy option is basically where you rent for a certain period of time e.g. 2 or 3 years and at the end of those years if you decided you would like to buy all the rent you have paid will be offset against a deposit. What is great about the rent to buy option is if you would like to buy a place of your own but are not financially in a position to do so then this scheme provides those who want to get on the property ladder a chance to do so.

The rent to buy scheme is not readily available everywhere, it is a scheme only some developers offer such as Northern Cross. The Northern Cross apartments which offer the option of the rent to buy scheme, come practically fully furnished, have landscaped gardens and underground car parking!

Take a closer look at Northern Cross Rent to Buy Scheme

If you are new to mortgages, then it’s also likely that you are new to the options available to you. Annuity mortgage, repayment mortgage (surely they all have to be repaid), offset mortgage, interest only mortgage, endowment mortgage, are all mortgage buzzwords that you will hear being bandied about. But what do they actually mean and which one is for me?

Well, for most us, the most common type of mortgage taken out is the annuity mortgage, which is also known as a repayment mortgage. This works as follows. You borrow money and then you pay it back monthly with interest. Simple as that. While this is the most common type of mortgage, it is by no means the only type. Get your lending institution or broker to explain the different types to you, so that you know exactly what you are buying. You wouldn’t buy a car without knowing the model, colour, engine size or price. So why buy a mortgage if you are unclear about exactly how much it will cost you in the long run.

As soon as you buy a house you should let the tax office know your new address. You can then apply for tax relief on the mortgage.

Tax relief covers a house, flat and in some cases a mobile home. It’s also worth noting that you can claim tax relief on any loan used to purchase or repair a property so long as it is where you are living. This doesn’t apply to second homes or investment properties.

If you decide to rent out the property, then you will no longer be entitled to tax relief as it is no longer where you live. If you become unemployed you are still entitled to mortgage interest relief. This is called the “Tax relief at source”. If the property is an investment property and you decide to sell it on, then you will have to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on any gain you make (if any) on the sale. However, if you have been living in the property, then you don’t have to pay CGT.

This week’s 3 properties for €300,000 are located in Co. Meath.

1. The first property is a 4 bed semi detached period cottage built from natural cut stone. The cottage has the perfect rural setting with fabulous views of Lough Crew Hills & Slieve na Calliagh. Take a closer look at Crossdrum, Oldcastle
2. The second property is a newly built 3 bed detached house. The house is quite modern and is fully furbished and located only minutes walk from Ashbourne Main Street. Take a closer look at 24 Ashewood Green , Ashbourne
3. Out third property for €300,000 is a 4 bed Semi detached nestled in quiet cul-de-sac in Johnstown Village. The property is only 2 years old, is in very good condition throughout and is positioned on an elevated site which is not overlooked to the front or rear. Take a closer look at Cill Foireann, Johnstown Village, Navan

We have all become more careful with cash in recent months and this should also extend to your choice of mortgage products.

• Don’t take the first mortgage you are offered for fear that you won’t get offered another one.
• Don’t accept everything that your lender says as gospel. Ask questions and get a second opinion.
• Don’t get sucked in by special offers. There’s usually a catch.

Take a common sense approach when looking for a mortgage. You can do some simple research about what’s available on the web. Talk to your friends about it – they all have a story to tell. But don’t get sucked in by anecdotal evidence. Look for the facts.

Coming in at €90,000, nicely under our €100,000 budget you could buy this 1 bed cottage within walking distance of Paulstown in Co. Kilkenny.

The cottage which is made from limestone dates back to the 1850’s. Some of the features of the property include the original window shutters, a small courtyard and storage outhouse which is suitable for conversion, subject to planning permission. Not only that but the cottage, known as ‘The Backlodge’ cottage is located at the rear entrance to the beautiful Shankill castle!  

The cottage is in easy commuting distance of Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Dublin.

Take a closer look at The Backlodge’ Shankill Castle, Paulstown

If you happen to be over west this week for the Galway races then maybe you should stop by and take a look at this 4 bed terrace house in Tuam. Why? This property is on the market for a fantastic €65,000!

The house needs a bit of a renovation makeover but at €65,000 I’m sure there might be some change left to make your interior design debut. As the property description says this property is a great buy for any first time buyer wanting to take the first step onto the property ladder.

Take a closer look at 11 Parkmore, Tuam

Over the past few months banks and lending institutions have increased mortgage exit fees in an effort to avert remortgaging.

Anyone on a fixed mortgage rate will be aware of the benefits of switching to a variable rate mortgage right now. Those on a fixed rate have not benefited from the recent falls in interest rates led by the lower rates of the European Central Bank. However, if you want to switch your mortgage to a different mortgage policy and reap the benefits of these new lower interest rates, the banks are not making it easy for you. Exit fees only apply when you close your mortgage before the end of the term of that mortgage. By increasing the exit charges banks are trying to lock in their customers to the higher rates.

This week’s three properties for under €300,000 are all in County Leitrim.  Pictured above is: a 4 bed dormer, and 6 bed two story detached and a 4 bed two story detached. All properties have extremely spacious interiors and come with exceptionally large gardens!

• Take a look at 4 bed Killarcan, Leitrim Village, Co Leitrim
• Take a look at 6 bed No 1 The Laurels Mohill Co. Leitrim
• Take a look at 4 bed Aughavas, Aughavas, Co. Leitrim   

You have shopped around all the financial institutions and building societies. You have contacted a number of brokers. None of them will give you a mortgage. How can this happen? Refused a mortgage? There are usually a number of reasons that combine to result in mortgage refusal. The bank or building society can simply refuse to lend you the cash and is under no obligation to give you a reason. Before you go looking for a mortgage, it’s a good idea to do a simple self-credit check.

• Do you have a history of bad credit?
• Do you have a lot of outstanding loans and credit card debts?
• Do you have a permanent job?
• Do you have any savings?
• Have you saved a deposit?
• Can you actually afford to borrow the amount you are looking for?

It’s common sense. If you can’t prove that you have a good credit history, then you can forget about it. If you have been refused a loan and can’t figure out why, then it might be an idea to contact the Irish Credit Bureau to check that they have accurate information.

For a little under €100,000 you could by this 3 bed bungalow in Co. Tipperary for €95,000. The property is located within walking distance of Clonmel town centre and as it says in the property description this is an ideal investment opportunity as starter home for those looking to get on the property ladder.

Take a closer look at 21 Heywood Close, Clonmel

A year or two ago it was a case of how much are the banks willing to lend me.

The days of borrowing five and six times your income are well and truly over. This was one of the main contributors to the over priced houses that we have experienced in Ireland over the past few years. While the banks are much more cautious about lending money these days, this is probably a good thing for home buyers. It means that you are only borrowing what you can actually afford to borrow and not some inflated amount that will see you in negative equity a few months down the line. So if you think you can’t afford to buy right now then it be best rethink and wait a while until you can.

Dream project this week is a 3 bed detached property located near Stradone Village in Co. Cavan. This property which is on the market for €100,000 has oodles of potential. Outbuildings and an acre of land are also included in the sale of the property.

Take a closer look at Kellycrone, Stradone, Co. Cavan

As prices continue to fall, maybe now is the time to spot a bargain in an area on the up. But how do I spot an area on the up and are there actually any areas on the up right now?

You need to think long term on this one. An area doesn’t just become hip or trendy over night. It takes time. Look for areas where there is other investment going on. So, house prices are still falling. We are all agreed on that. But for how long? Some experts believe that the price falls will have bottomed out by the end of the year. Again this is down to speculation which is what property investment is all about.  If you are one of the lucky ones and have a bit of cash floating around, this could be a good time to buy. But don’t get too greedy. It will be a long time before we see the days of the "Celtic Tiger" back again if ever.

Here are a few pointers when looking for an area on the up.

1. Stay sane. Be clear about what you want. If you make an ill-judged decision now you may live to regret it.
2. Prices have fallen but so has demand. Be aware that it might take some time to sell on the property so make sure you can live with the consequences.
3. Keep an open mind on the type of property you are looking for. Some properties hold more value than others.
4. Keep a keen eye on the market. Check for properties that have been on the market for a long time. You may be able to get a real bargain.
5. Don’t be put off by cosmetics. A lick of paint can go a long way.

When you are looking for the best available mortgage to match your finances, there are a few options available to you. Firstly, you can contact the financial institutions directly, discuss your finances and see which will offer the best deal. (By the best deal, I don’t mean the most money. Rather the most suitable deal that matches your financial situation). Alternatively, you could use a mortgage broker.

A mortgage broker will seek out the best mortgage product on the market on your behalf. You should be aware that some brokers only deal with a limited number of financial institutions so while you think you are getting the best product, there may a more appropriate mortgage on the market that they have not investigated. Traditionally, brokers worked on a percentage basis (usually about 1%). However, with the current market difficulties many have moved to a set fee basis. So if you decide to go down the broker route, you should really shop around for the best broker. There’s a lot of shopping around going on. You shop around for a broker and then they shop around for a mortgage for you.

While a broker will do their utmost to track down the best deal for you, It is possible  to do this yourself especially if money is tight and there is no budget for a broker.

When you buy a property, the deeds are processed in the registry of deeds and then returned to the financial institution that supplies the mortgage.

Essentially, you don’t own the house until the mortgage has been paid in full so the lending institution holds on to the deeds until your mortgage has been completely paid off. So when you say, "I own a house", in fact you don’t. You own a mortgage. You only fully own the house when the mortgage is paid. Once you have paid off your mortgage, you can obtain the deeds. Most people just leave them with the lender as it is less hassle than trying to find a secure place to store them. Better to leave them in a secure place. Alternatively, leave them with your solicitor.

This weeks properties fort €300,000 are located in Co. Clare. All properties are quite spacious and offer great value for money.

1. The first property is a 5 bed dormer bungalow within minutes drive of Shannon and Newmarket. What you can’t see in the picture is the large conservatory at the rear of the property with decking area and landscaped gardens.
   Take a closer look at Ballysallagh West, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare
2. The townhouses on Hector Street Mill, Kilrush are quite something. They have been created out of a hipped-roof mill and include fully fitted kitchens with appliances! The townhouses of Hector Street mill are adjacent to the town of Kilrush and the yacht marina.
   Take a closer look Hector Street Mill, Kilrush, Co. Clare
3. Theses houses in Monvana jest outside Kilrush town are part of a housing development. The property features four double bedrooms, two with en-suite bathrooms, sitting room, dining room, study, kitchen and utility.
   Take a closer look at Monvana, Kilrush, Co Clare

For €100,000 this week you could a buy a spacious 2 bedroom ground floor apartment in the Riverview Court building, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. This apartment which is only a short walk to Enniscorthy town centre comprises of 2 large double bedrooms (one ensuite!), a large open plan living room / kitchen and also comes with adequate parking space outside.

Take a closer look at Riverview Court, Enniscorthy

Located only a stones throw away from Waterford City centre is this 3 bed terrace house on the market for only €100,000!

This mid terrace property, only a short distance from the city centre is in need of a complete of overhaul & modernisation. The property also comes with a large garden at the rear and is a fantastic buy for any one looking to live in right in the heart of Waterford City.

Take a closer look at €100,000 53 Morley Terrace, Gracedieu, Waterford