Advice to First Time Buyers

· The property market moves quite swiftly, in particular for homes that are in a excellent location and in high-quality condition so therefore it is a good idea to go and get mortgage approved right away so if you do come across that dream home you can move along and buy it before someone else does.

· If you find something you like put down a deposit as long as your complete offer is accepted, a security deposit is normally between five and ten percent of the asking price, this immediately secures the property for you.

· You are exempt from Stamp Duty up to the €190,500 Bracket after that the Stamp Duty brackets are as follows:

€190,501 - €254,000 3%
€254,000 - €317,500 3.75%
€317,501 - €381,000 4.5%
€381,001 - €635,000 7.5%
Over €635,000 9%

· Always keep in mind the potential of a property, you may view a home that you like the location and design of but don't let dated décor or lack of décor scare you these are factors that are quite easily altered, on the other hand don't let décor blow you away either it is just the make up of the house after all.

· If you are seriously going to purchase always look at zoning plans of the immediate area, looking out for future building plans or major road works close to your new home as it may devalue the property in years to come.

· If you do like a property take a second viewing and even a third one.

· Little trick!! To get the full view of room area without the clutter of someone else's furniture inside, lie down on the floor on your back and imagine the ceiling size as the floor space, as after all the ceiling is the same size as the floor!

· Always stand back and scan the exterior of a property if there has been structural work done ask your surveyor what has exactly been done and would it need to be done again if it was to rectify a problem.

· Always take note of the residences in the surrounding area, are many of them being sold? Renovated? Changed into apartments? Is it an up and coming area?

· Is there room for extension, if there is will you be able to get the planning permission?, A good indication of whether you might get planning permission is if a lot of the properties surrounding you have extended or changed aspects of their property or not.

· Is it a listed building? Are the surrounding walls historic can you remove parts or are you not allowed to change their appearance?