The housing market in Ireland had been boming for several years prior to 2007 - but as with many countries in the world - the price of property has dropped back to more realistic levels.

Ireland's house price growth over the last 10 years was one of the highest in Europe. With mortgage rates being low, the ecomomy and population growing - demand for housing soared.
The problem is that too many houses were built and now the demand has dropped.

As house prices drop it is a good thing for first time buyers - and with mortgage interest tax relief to be abolished for first time buyers in 2013 - then 2011 could be a good time to buy.
House affordability now is better than it has been in Ireland for many years.

The days of buying a house hoping to make a quick profit are long gone - and will probably never return. But everyone needs somewhere to live - families grow and need more room or split up and need less.
The only alternative to buying is renting - but in many places in Ireland the rental costs are more than the mortgage repayments on an equivalent property. Renting long term is usually a money losing option.

Even if house prices do fall even further - after 25 years your mortgage payments will have stopped and you will own a property of some value. You will be able to live in it for free (apart from maintenance and any property taxes) If you rent - you will still be paying rent into retirement and will have nothing to show for it.
If rental payments were a lot less than mortgage payments - then it might be possible to save the difference and build up a nest-egg. But they are not in most cases.

The pages listed on the menu to the left give a some figures on recent house price changes for each county .

Selling Your Property :
Estate Agents fees can be as much as 2.5% in some places - others may charge as little as 1%. Some auctioneers and estate agents have a no sale no fee policy - but this seems to be less common in Ireland than the UK and many of them charge a fixed fee upfront to cover advertising costs and web site listings even if they don't sell your house.

Galway Property
Leitrim House Prices
Mayo Houses For Sale
Roscommon Property
Sligo Property